Our pollinators need more support

MASSPIRG called for more action to protect our pollinators during National Pollinator Week – which began on Monday.

In our new snapshot of state actions to protect pollinators, we looked at what stares are doing to protect bees and other pollinators. 

“Though Massachusetts trails some other states in its pollinator protections, the news isn’t all bad,” said Deirdre Cummings, Legislative Director, MASSPIRG. “Removing consumer sales of bee-killing pesticides was a good start, but we need to address seeds coated with these pesticides if we want to retake our leadership position.” 

In 2021, Massachusetts restricted the use of bee-killing pesticides called neonicotinoids (“neonics”), a list that has now grown to 12 states. However, it has yet to address agricultural seeds coated with neonics, which would mirror similar policies in Vermont and New York. Using coated seeds disperses pollinator-killing chemicals throughout growing plants and into the soil and groundwater. Massachusetts could also join  Minnesota and California to block neonic usage on state lands.

While Massachusetts should be proud of the steps we’ve already taken, our state is not as safe for pollinators as it should be. Let’s fill in the common-sense gaps that remain.