Farmers and Pollinators

Friends -
As the light lasts a little longer everyday, we start to see the early signs of spring amid snowstorms and muddy roads. The growing season is upon us! Recently, we sent out an action alert about H. 626 and we wanted to thank all who took action. The bill addresses a particular set of pesticides, neonicotinoids, commonly referred to as neo-nics. The way neo-nics work is systemic - meaning, they penetrate every part of the plant, including the pollen. Neonicotinoids are intended to disrupt the nervous systems of insect pests, but these types of pesticides also affect non-target species as well.  Reports have demonstrated that beneficial insects and pollinators are being adversely affected by neo-nics and this is alarming for many reasons!  Pollinators are essential to food production, and thriving ecosystems, so, it’s in all of our best interest to protect them.

The original version of this bill would have tasked the Agency of Agriculture with enacting all of the recommendations that came out of the Pollinator Protection Bill in 2019. This would have eliminated neonicotinoids in every single form, due to the negative effects this class of pesticides can have on pollinators, the environment and human health. Vermont is one of the only states to ban the use of these pesticides for home use, but we have yet to address the treated seed portion of the legislation.

Many of us who live in Vermont share a connection with the land we live on - whether it is forests or farmland, that connection is part of what makes this such a special place. When it comes to crafting policy that discourages or prohibits agricultural practices that are harmful to our environment, we don’t want to place a burden on hardworking farmers whose individual practices are part of a much larger system. Our goal is always to support farmers, and support best practices for the health of farmers, farm workers, our communities and our environment. 

“I always want to uplift and support all farmers and first and foremost acknowledge that they are just trying to do the best they can with what they know, within their economic means- it’s critical that we not pit farmers against each other, but rather, we take note of how industrial forms of agriculture have taken away the control that farmers have over their products and the way they farm. You can support local, pastured based, small scale dairy and have a greater impact on that farmers livelihood and your local economy! I am a firm believer in scale appropriate agriculture that focuses on the health of our soil and our people.”

Rep. Heather Surprenant (Windsor 4-1)

While the current version of the bill does not create an across the board ban on neonicotinoids, if it passes, the Agency of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Agricultural Innovation Board and other organizations will work to help farmers transition out of prophylactic use. Through Integrated Pest Management and best management practices, the stakeholders will determine if there is an actual pest pressure threshold at which it would be appropriate to use these pesticides. The board will determine proper uses of pesticides and report back to the Agency of Agriculture, finding a way to support farmers while also acknowledging our responsibility to the climate and pollinators.

“I look at all policy through the lens of climate impact, human health and rural vibrancy. I want to see the parts of our state that are sometimes forgotten about uplifted and acknowledged for all that they do in the stewardship of our land and keeping Vermont’s working landscape intact. “

Rep. Heather Surprenant (Windsor 4-1)


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