Bill to Restrict Harmful Neonicotinoid Pesticides Up in Committee Tomorrow

The Assembly Appropriations Committee is considering A070 (Calabrese) / S1016 (Smith) tomorrow, January 7th. The bill directs DEP to classify neonicotinoid pesticides as restricted use pesticides. DEP must establish a list of chemicals that belong to the neonicotinoid class of chemicals that would be included under the restricted classification.

“Pesticides like neonicotinoids are killing bees and impacting human health. New Jersey needs to ban these chemicals. This legislation is an important step in the right direction to start phasing them out. These insecticides are not only harmful to public health, but are destroying our bee population that is critical to our ecosystem and food supply. These toxins have also posed a risk to other animals like birds.  Without bees, many crops would cease to exist and will make human existence much harder,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “We are entering into an environmental crisis because of loss of bees, and pesticides are the main factor. This has a dramatic impact on farming and the environment. The Assembly needs to release this bill and move quickly to get it to the Governor’s desk.”

Neonicotinoid pesticides have been shown to negatively affect pollinating insects. These chemicals are suspected to contribute to “colony collapse disorder”, or the disappearance of bee populations. Under this legislation, these pesticides would only be able to be purchased and used by certified and licensed pesticide applicators.

“New Jersey should be moving immediately to prohibit use of insecticides called neonicotinoids, especially imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos. These insecticides are destroying our bee population and are also harmful to human health. These chemicals are found in our drinking water, our fruit, and even in us. It can act as a neurotoxin and especially impacts pregnant women and children. It can be found in the applesauce we feed our children. This bill is a step in the right direction, but New Jersey needs to ban these chemicals. Hawaii has already banned this harmful insecticide, and today the courts in France upheld a ban in the European Union, ” said Jeff Tittel. “Bees are dying off in record numbers and hives are collapsing. That will have serious consequences on farming and our environment. If New Jersey really wants to help save wildlife and bees, we need to avoid using pesticides that are harmful to them.”