Caitlin Ferrante, caitlin.ferrante@sierraclub.org; Roger Downs, roger.downs@sierraclub.org
ALBANY, NY -- Today, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Birds and Bees Protection Act into law. The new law will eliminate 80-90 percent of the toxic class of pesticides called neonicotinoids, or neonics for short, from entering New York’s environment. The law will prohibit the use of unneeded neonic coatings on corn, soybean, and wheat seeds and non-agricultural lawn and garden uses.
Long connected to mass loss of the bees critical to New York’s agricultural economy and environment, neonics have emerged as the most ecologically destructive pesticides since DDT. In May, the U.S. EPA made the unprecedented finding that neonics are driving 200+ species toward extinction, and the pesticides have been linked with mass losses of birds, the collapse of aquatic ecosystems, and birth defects in deer. New York health experts have also raised alarms about the continued use of neonics -- the pesticides extensively pollute New York water supplies and New Yorkers’ bodies, with recent research documenting near-ubiquitous and steadily rising levels of neonics in pregnant women.
Due to legal loopholes, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation exercises no regulatory authority over neonic-coated seeds. Support for the Birds & Bees Protection Act has been widespread with over 370 New York farms, businesses, and organizations having called on Gov. Hochul to sign the bill into law.
In response, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter Conservation Program Manager Caitlin Ferrante released the following statement:
“The Sierra Club applauds Governor Hochul for protecting New York families and our environment by signing the Birds and Bees Protection Act into law. Using sound science as a backbone for the policies that protect NY’s pollinators, water, and soil health will ensure our communities are safer for generations to come. We thank the Governor for her nation-leading action.
“The Sierra Club would also like to thank Assemblymember Glick, Senator Hoylman-Sigal, Senator Harckham, Assemblymember Solages, Assemblymember Reyes, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Speaker Heastie for their tireless leadership in getting this bill across the finish line. This new law will have a lasting impact on the environment and New Yorkers will be safer and healthier thanks to their leadership.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.