Agency proposes best-management practices for neonicotinoid-treated seed and neonic pesticides

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets on Feb. 6 submitted a proposed rule establishing recommended best-management practices for neonicotinoid-treated seed and neonicotinoid pesticides, agency staff told a legislative committee.

The proposed rule implements provisions of Act 145 (2022) as amended by Act 182 and aims to reduce non-target exposures to neonics while preserving options for growers. Morton Griffith, agrochemical program manager in the agency's Farm Division, said the BMPs are drawn from Ag Innovation Board recommendations, prior research and product label directions.

"The purpose is these are best management practices, BMPs, for the appropriate use of neonic treated seeds and neonic pesticides," Griffith said. He summarized two supporting documents: a resource list of treated-seed BMPs and a chart the Ag Innovation Board used to categorize and cite specific practices.

The draft separates seed and pesticide guidance. For treated seed the proposal references seed-tag and product-label language and lists practical steps such as planting treated seed at a depth greater than 1.5 to 2 inches, recovering spilled seed, avoiding broadcasting, and not composting or recycling treated seed containers. The presentation cited an example seed tag and noted that some label language advises growers to "avoid planting when rain is forecast within 48 hours," to use functioning planters and to collect spilled treated seed.

The agency described a…