A new measure in the Legislature proposes to ban nearly all non-agricultural uses of several neonicotinoids. The bill aims to protect bees and other pollinators by specifically targeting uses for lawns, gardens and golf courses. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is co-sponsoring the measure alongside two other environmental groups.
“These uses also present exposure risks for people, because they are used on lawns and other areas where pets and children play,” argues NRDC attorney Lucas Rhoads, in a statement on the bill. “Nonagricultural uses of neonics are the least justifiable out there.”
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The bill’s author, Asm. Rebecca Bauer-Kahan of Orinda (above) introduced a measure last year that would have banned neonic-treated seeds, but pulled it ahead of a hearing. In 2020 the Bay Area lawmaker proposed higher fines for spray drift incidents, but that bill also did not progress.
