Lawmakers in New York State are pushing a pesticide ban that would have a “devastating” impact on farmers. New legislation, The Birds and Bees Protection Act, is heading to Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk after clearing both houses of the New York State legislature on June 9.
The bill seeks to decrease the loss of bees and birds to neonicotinoid pesticides. However, scientists and farmers warn that the move will be devastating to farms and crops throughout the state.
A statement from the New York Farm Bureau said in part:“New York’s farmers are facing unprecedented business and regulatory challenges from climate change, the notion of eliminating safe and stringently regulated technologies would be devastating to one of the state’s most critical economic engines.”