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Hearings this week on bills to protect bees & support farmers

Bills to be considered as part of agricultural policy omnibus bills

St. Paul, MN – After its introduction last week, a bill aimed at protecting bees and supporting farmers will be taken up at two hearings later this week, positioning Minnesota as a national leader in pollinator protection. The bill follows recommendations from a more than two-year review of bee-harming neonicotinoid pesticides by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

HF 1717 and SF 1674, which are expected to be taken up in House and Senate Agriculture Policy Committees this week, would give the state and farmers the tools to address the use of pesticide seed coatings. Their widespread use by pesticide and seed companies – which US EPA and University of Minnesota Extension acknowledge are particularly ineffective for soybeans – is particularly persistent, and threatens native bees and other pollinators through the plants, soil and water.

At each hearing, farmers, beekeepers, native pollinator specialists and concerned community members will testify in support of the pollinator components of the omnibus bills.

Details:

Hearing on HF 1717 in House Agriculture Policy Committee

Tuesday, March 7th

10:15 am, 5 State Office Building

Hearing on SF 1674 in Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy

Thursday, March 9th

3:00 pm, Room 1150 Minnesota Senate Building

 

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