Gillibrand Calls for Expedited Pesticide Review to Protect Honeybees

The bee population in the United States has decreased by 30 percent since 2006 due to colony collapse disorder. 

Honeybees are critical to the health of agricultural industries, including in New York State with one of every three bites of food is reliant on honeybee pollination.

According to a press release issued by Senator Gillibrand’s office last Thursday the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently reviewing neonictinoids, a class of pesticide that could be toxic to honeybees and other pollinators in high doses.

Research has shown that neonicotinoids can cause disruptions in mobility, navigation, feeding, foraging, memory, learning and overall hive activity, functions that are vital to the survival of the honeybee. 

This would have the potential to negatively impact almond, blueberry, pumpkin, apple and cherry crops – crops that are critical to the agriculture industry in New York, and on the East End.

In her letter to EPA Administrator Shelia Jackson, Senator Gillibrand wrote, “Protecting honey bees and other pollinators is vital to American agriculture. In fact, one in three bites of food is reliant on honey bee pollination, and threats to pollinators concern the entire food system and could drive up the cost of food in this country.

Highlighting the economic importance of pollinators, a recent study by Cornell University found that insect pollination results in a value of more than $15 billion annually.”