Doctors, Farmers, and Advocates Call on Governor Hochul to Sign Neonic-Limiting Bill

ALBANY, NY — With 10 days left to sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act (S1856-A / A7640), New Yorkers have called for action from Governor Kathy Hochul. Today, doctors, farmers, and advocates expressed concern that if Governor Hochul doesn’t sign the bill, an immense opportunity would be missed to protect people and the environment from neonic pesticide exposure. The Birds and Bees Protection Act would eliminate 80-90% of neonics from entering New York’s environment annually by prohibiting the use of neonic-coated corn and soybean seeds, as well as limiting unnecessary neonic lawn and garden uses.

Governor Hochul had the bill delivered to her desk on December 12th and now has 10 days to either sign or veto it. The chemical industry has been pressuring the Governor for a veto through lobbying and misinformation, likely concerned about selling less of their product in the state. To date, over 370 New York farms, businesses, and organizations have called on Gov. Hochul to sign the bill. New York State health professionals, religious leaders, brewers, and chefs have also called on the Governor to sign the bill. The Buffalo News and Newsday have editorialized in favor of the bill. 

Neonics are linked to massive bee and bird losses that impact food production, birth defects in deer, New York water and soil contamination; and neonic levels are rising in pregnant women in New York State. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that neonic use is likely driving over two-hundred species toward extinction. The Birds & Bees Protection Act was written in accordance with the findings of an extensive 2020 Cornell University report and the experiences from Quebec’s neonic legislation, both of which point towards no negative economic impact on farmers for eliminating neonic coatings on corn, soybean, and wheat seeds. Due to legal loopholes, the state Department of Environmental Conservation exercises no regulatory control over neonic-coated seeds, underscoring the need for a legislative solution.

Speakers at today’s press conference included New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47), Megan Boone (actress and activist), Dr. Phillip Landrigan (pediatrician, Professor Emeritus of Preventive Medicine and Pediatrics in the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, and Professor and Director of the Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good at Boston College), Dr. Maida Galvez (MD, MPH, FAAP, pediatrician, and Professor of Environmental Medicine and Public Health and Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, and NYS AAP District 2 Chapter 3 Member), Laura Colligan (farmer and co-owner of Dirt Rich Farm in Springville, NY and President of the Good Farmers Guild of Western New York), Emily Ann Watson (co-owner of Plan Bee Farm Brewery in Poughkeepsie, NY), Sophia Longsworth (Campaign Manager of Clean+Healthy), Adrienne Esposito (Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment), and Caitlin Ferrante (Conservation and Development Program Manager at the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter).

State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said: "With the EPA recently finding that neonics are driving more than 200 species towards extinction, these pesticides are emerging as the most ecologically destructive since DDT. I’m proud that the New York State legislature passed our Birds and Bees Protection Act (S1856A) with Assembly Member Glick, which will end the pervasive use of toxic neonics on many New York farms that don’t need them to be effective. I’m grateful to NRDC and the Sierra Club for working to protect pollinators and ensure New York prioritizes the health of our constituents and the planet. I look forward to Governor Hochul signing our environment-saving legislation into law before the end of the year."

“Protecting pollinators by limiting toxins that pose adverse effects and health risks is an important step forward in our work to stop poisoning the environment and create a healthier New York,” said Assemblymember Deborah Glick, “It is past time for Governor Hochul to sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act and move forward safeguarding these vital members of healthy ecosystems and our food supply chain. The bill accommodates concerns about seed supplies and allows for emergency declarations by the Department of Environmental Conservation, however, the routine indiscriminate use of these neurotoxins is contrary to New York State’s commitment to an integrated pest management system. This regimen relies on beneficial insects as part of planning, but the neurotoxins kill all insects, including beneficial insects and pollinators. That is why the European Union and Canadian Provinces have banned the use of these coatings for years. Following this common-sense environmental direction is vital for ensuring the health of not only our birds and bees but for the health of New Yorkers and of the environment.”

"The thing that I care most about in this world is that my child grows up on a planet that is safe and healthy. As a New Yorker, I know that neonic pesticides are prevalent in our waterways, in our soil, and in our bodies. This has to change, which is why I want Governor Hochul to sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act," said Megan Boone, actress and activist. "We need the Governor to step up and protect New Yorkers from needless exposure to this dangerous chemical so that my child and all future generations are protected."

“I am a pediatrician, and I am worried about neonicotinoid insecticides, because these powerful chemicals are nerve agents. They are toxic to the brain and nervous system. They are linked to acute poisoning with seizures, delayed brain development, and autism spectrum disorder.  Our children are especially at risk,” said Dr. Phillip Landrigan, Professor Emeritus of Preventive Medicine and Pediatrics in the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. “For the health of all New Yorkers, and especially our children, I urge Governor Hochul to sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act.”

“Exposure to neonicotinoid pesticides in New York is rampant and growing. Infants are at higher risk as they may be exposed through both contaminated baby food as well as formula made with contaminated tap water. Given widespread neonic exposures and potential harms to the health of New Yorkers, especially children, the most important clinical intervention is prevention of exposures to these pesticides in the first place. Signing the Birds and Bees Protection Act into law as is, firmly demonstrates New York State’s strong commitment to protecting the health of all New Yorkers and for generations to come,” said Dr. Maida P. Galvez, MD, MPH, FAAP, pediatrician, and Professor of Environmental Medicine and Public Health and Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York and NYS AAP District 2 Chapter 3 Member.

“The Birds and Bees Protection Act is a win-win for agriculture and the environment,” said Laura Colligan, farmer and co-owner of Dirt Rich Farm in Springville, NY, and President of the Good Farmers Guild of Western New York. “It has been carefully crafted, based on research done by Cornell University, not to have negative impacts on corn and soybean growers who have been using neonicotinoid pesticides, while also protecting bees and other pollinators and the fruit and vegetable growers who rely on them. Signing this bill into law should be an easy decision for Governor Hochul.”

“Hive collapse has been a continuous problem for our farm. We depend on our honey bees for our livelihood and while I can control what chemicals are used on our farm, I cannot control what my neighbors use. Bees forage in a 2- mile radius, many don’t ever make it back to the hive. Our family and our farm are counting on the Governor to make  the right decision,” said Emily Ann Watson, Owner, Plan Bee Farm Brewery in Poughkeepsie, NY.

“It is concerning that Governor Hochul is struggling with the decision to sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act into law. The science on neonicotinoids is clear: this neurotoxic chemical is dangerous to pollinators and wildlife, pollutes the environment, and threatens public health,” said Sophia Longsworth, Campaign Manager, Clean+Healthy. “Governor Hochul has an obligation to protect New Yorkers and the environment, and we strongly urge her to sign this bill to do so.”

“There’s just too much at stake for Governor Hochul to give in to chemical industry pressure. Neonic contamination is widespread in the state — with agricultural communities more likely to find neonics in their environment — and it needs to be addressed as soon as possible,” said Dan Raichel, Acting Director of NRDC’s (Natural Resource Defense Council) Pollinator Initiative. “Signing the Birds and Bees Protection Act is key for Governor Hochul’s environmental legacy and to show herself as a true leader on protecting public health. She must act now.”

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.​