Apr 12, 2016

Maryland enacts ban on neonicotinoids

Maryland lawmakers have approved legislation that will prohibit the retail sale and household use of neonicotinoid pesticides beginning in 2018. Commercial applications will still be permitted.

Gov. Larry Hogan is now reviewing the legislation, which recently passed 99-38 in the House of Delegates.

Here’s more from The Frederick News-Post:

The legislation was contentious, and supporters and opponents each pointed to studies that indicated conflicting effects on bee populations due to the neonicotinoids.

A Jan. 6 Environmental Protection Agency health assessment of neonicotinoid pesticides, frequently called “neonics,” indicated a threat one type of neonic had on honeybee colonies that feast on citrus and cotton crops.

Other studies have found that pesticides are devastating the bee population, while some report that bees are unaffected. Still others indicate bee colonies in the U.S. are growing.