CoPIRG calls for passage of bill to limit use of bee-killing pesticides

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CoPIRG

DENVER – The Colorado State Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources committee is considering a bill today that would limit the use of bee-killing pesticides and CoPIRG is asking the committee to vote yes.  

CoPIRG supports the bill, SB22-131, entitled Protect Health Of Pollinators And People, which targets neonicotinoids, known as neonics, a group of insecticides that harms bees, birds, and other pollinators. It would add neonics to the registered use pesticide (RUP) list in Colorado, which would make it harder for the general public to access them. The bill also contains funding for a pollinator study and allows local governments more control over how they make choices regarding pesticide use in the community. 

Danny Katz, CoPIRG executive director, made the following statement:

“Colorado is home to a lot of pollinators including 946 species of bees, 250 species of butterflies, over 1000 species of moths, wasps, flies, beetles, and 11 species of migrating hummingbirds. Pollinators are an important part of our ecosystem and pollinate many local agriculture products including peaches, apples and cherries. 

Neonics are a group of insecticides and there is a wealth of scientific research that connects neonics to massive losses of pollinators and health impacts on wildlife and humans. 

Neonics are neurotoxic pesticides that have been demonstrated to harm pollinators at levels found in the environment and are linked to bee population declines. Neonics can kill bees or impair their ability to fend off disease, forage for food or survive the winter. Neonics also negatively affect the iconic monarch butterfly and songbirds.

To protect our health and the health of our community, we need to reduce the use of neonics. 

This bill would make it harder for the general public to access and use neonics. It would also give local governments more ability to regulate pesticides and protect their ecosystems, people and water. 

Let’s prioritize protecting pollinators and protecting our community.” 

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