The California Fish and Game Commission last week approved an enormous package of regulations. Tucked within that—and only briefly mentioned in a two-day, nine-hour hearing—was a provision banning the use of the neonicotinoid class of pesticides on lands managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The insecticides can harm pollinators if used in sensitive habitats.
It’s easy to be “in the know” about what’s happening in Washington, D.C. Sign up for a FREE month of Agri-Pulse news! Simply click here.
The action stems from a 2017 request by an environmental coalition led by Earthjustice. Hardy Kern, who directs government relations at the American Bird Conservancy, one of the coalition groups, was “very excited” about the commission taking this action. At the hearing, Kern noted that the department has already dropped its use of neonics on state lands.
He urged the commission to go further and ban their use for anyone who leases or sublets the lands. Kern also hopes the regulatory action “becomes a great platform to keep talking about this issue of pesticide use on public lands.”
