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Committee hears testimony on restricting neonicotinoid‑treated seeds to protect pollinators and water (SF3083)
Summary
Senate File 3083 drew extensive testimony about neonicotinoid‑treated seeds: beekeepers, conservationists and public‑health witnesses urged limits on prophylactic seed treatments, while seed dealers and crop retailers warned verification requirements would be difficult to implement.
Senator Mary McKeown opened an informational hearing April 21 on Senate File 3083, a proposal aimed at restricting widespread, prophylactic use of neonicotinoid‑treated seeds to limit environmental and human exposure.
Beekeepers and pollinator advocates described sharp losses and field observations they attribute in part to neonics. Erin Rupp, a beekeeper with Pollinate Minnesota, said she teaches beekeeping to thousands and that "my bee losses are in line with state and federal losses" and that Minnesota losses were above 70 percent last year. She told the committee beekeepers and the Pollinator Stewardship Council have engaged regulators for years and that…
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