Article: Breaking Down the Roadmap to Reducing Pesticides in Vermont
Breaking Down the Roadmap to Reducing Pesticides in Vermont
Earlier this month, the Vermont Natural Resources Council released a report describing the best way forward to reduce pesticide use in Vermont.
But what does that mean for beekeepers? Let's break it down.
What’s the situation?
The top three most dangerous pesticides used in Vermont are atrazine, glyphosate, and neonicotinoids. All of these chemicals have been linked to serious health problems and to immense damage to the natural environment, including our pollinators. These pesticides are generally highly regulated and even banned in some parts of the country and the world. Unfortunately, while they are regulated in Vermont, there is a relatively weak system of accountability and incomplete data collection.
Who regulates pesticides in Vermont?
Pesticide regulation falls under the responsibility of the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (AAFM). The primary mission of AAFM is to promote farming in the state. Given that AAFM is both responsible for “promoting agriculture and protecting public health and the environment from the impacts of pesticide use,” this raises significant conflicts of interest (6). Because of this, pesticide regulation and testing have been inadequate.
What action has been taken?
Vermont has taken significant steps in fixing this issue within the past few years. Between 2019 and 2022, we've passed several acts that require AAFM to track and regulate pesticide use in the state more carefully. Finally, in 2024, Act 182 was passed, a bill that officially bans the use of neonicotinoids in the state and focuses on reducing the impacts of these chemicals on pollinators. This bill will slowly phase out neonicotinoid treated seeds entirely by 2029!
What are the next steps?
While Act 182 was a monumental win for pollinators, there is still work to be done. As the Vermont Natural Resources Council highlights, there are several ways we can improve pesticide regulation in Vermont.
Firstly, we need to collect more data to get a better understanding of pesticides across the entire state, not just on agricultural land. We also need to phase out and better regulate these other extremely harmful pesticides: atrazine and glyphosate. We are not alone in this movement to ban neonicotinoids and restrict pesticide use in our communities. The European Union has banned atrazine and closer to home, New York passed a similar law phasing out neonicotinoids on a similar timeline.
Like our neighbors in Maine, we need to promote and require better Integrated Pest Management practices, providing alternatives for pest management and having pesticides as the last resort. Similar to other states in New England like New York, Maine, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, we need to reduce our pesticide use on state properties and at schools. Some of these states have excellent guidelines on how to notify the community when pesticides are being applied.
Finally, we need to shift the responsibility of pesticide regulation from AAFM to the Department of Natural Resources. This is similar to how the pesticide regulation is set up federally. This way, there are no conflicts of interest and the best decisions regarding our health and our environment’s health can be made.
We're proud to be one of the first states to phase out neonicotinoids and this will make a world of a difference for the health of our bees. And this is only the beginning. 🐝
Want to learn more? Check out these links below.
