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Committee to examine neonicotinoid rules and treated-seed exemptions ahead of 2029 deadline
Summary
Members say the panel will revisit neonicotinoid and treated-seed rules, how exemptions will be granted if untreated seed is unavailable, and the Agency of Agriculture's role in guiding farmers through the law's implementation.
The agriculture committee said on Jan. 6 it will revisit state rules on neonicotinoids and the use of treated seed, focusing on how the law set to take effect in 2029 will affect farmers' planting choices and what authority will exist to grant exemptions.
Sen. Russ Ingalls told the panel the committee will seek testimony and likely language from the Agency of Agriculture "to explain who has the authority to grant exemptions as necessary" if producers cannot obtain untreated seed after meeting statutory requirements such as integrated pest management.
What the committee will consider: members plan to ask how farmers will access untreated seed if supply is limited, what documentation or training (for example, integrated pest-management completion) will satisfy statutory requirements, and whether the Agency of Agriculture needs explicit rulemaking authority to process exemptions.
Context: the chair said the committee took testimony on neonicotinoids last year and anticipates additional public input and agency-submitted language this session. No draft bill text was presented at the Jan. 6 meeting.
Next steps: the committee expects to schedule hearings and take testimony from growers, seed suppliers and agency staff before drafting any statutory changes.
