Committee hears concerns about draft rules implementing Act 182 neonic restrictions

At a meeting of the House Agriculture, Food Resiliency, & Forestry Committee, members heard testimony from Emily May of the Xerces Society urging changes to a draft administrative rule meant to implement Act 182 (H.706), the law restricting neonicotinoid insecticide uses in Vermont.

May, agricultural conservation lead with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, said the draft rule contains what she called a clear timeline error and a broader problem with voluntary language: "the implementation starts in 2031, which is 2 years after the bill says that it should start because the phase out is in 2029," she said, adding that many provisions in the draft use "should" instead of the enforceable "shall." She told the committee that the law is intended to restrict routine, prophylactic use of neonic-treated seed and to require enforceable best management practices where neonics remain in use.

The testimony focused on several concrete concerns. May said the draft rule lacks specific, enforceable disposal…