MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – A key legislative panel at the Vermont Statehouse has voted to ban a pesticide that is toxic to pollinators.
Neonicotinoids are used to treat seeds to keep pests away, but they can be toxic to bees and other pollinators, and have effects on other animals, as well as soils and waterways.
However, some people have expressed concerns about the ban because dairy farmers use the seeds.
The House Agriculture Committee voted 8- 2 on Wednesday to advance H.706, a bill banning the pesticide.
At a rally this week at the Statehouse, supporters pushed for the bill’s passage.
“This bill isn’t about putting dairy farmers out of business and it’s not a judgment about rural cropping corn in Vermont. It’s about moving practices forward to create a more resilient agricultural landscape,” said Rep. Heather Surprenant, D-Barnard.
However, the Agency of Agriculture says more research is needed on the impact of banning the pesticide.
“The farm community is paying attention to this because, you talk about affordability of there is an alternative to the seed, where are they going to get it, what will it cost? We just need more time to figure this out,” Vt. Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts said.
If approved, the ban would take effect in 2029.