Lawmakers Block State from Regulating Insecticides

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota lawmakers have stripped out legislation meant to help reduce the use of insecticides harmful to bees.

The fight over neonicotinoid insecticide has become a major environmental effort as bee populations continue to decline in Minnesota and across the nation. State regulators have sought greater authority to regulate certain seeds treated with the insecticide.

Minnesota Public Radio News reports that committees in the Republican-controlled House and Senate recently stripped that authority from a bill.

Representative Paul Anderson says the agricultural community is concerned because the insecticide is necessary for raising corn.

Pesticide Action Network organizer Lex Horan calls the decision to remove that authority disappointing. He says inaction mans the pollinator decline will continue to worsen.