TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Phil Murphy signed LegislationTuesday’s S1016/A2070 classification of neonicotinoid pesticides, also known by neonics, as restricted use pesticides. New Jersey is the sixth state that has adopted this “save-the-bees” policy, which restricts non-agricultural use of neonics.
Environment New Jersey has been leading the call for a ban on neonics in New Jersey and in all states. Environment New Jersey visited neighborhoods throughout the state last summer to educate New Jerseyans on the role of neonics in the plight bees.
We are taking some of this bee-friendly environment’s sting out by supporting this bill. Doug OMalleyState director of Environment New Jersey. We can now assure our pollinators a more secure Garden State when they return to the spring.
New Jersey’s legislation restricts pesticide use in non-agricultural settings, such as gardens, lawns, and golf courses. These are the primary areas where pesticides are used. Connecticut, Maryland, Vermont and Massachusetts were the first to implement similar restrictions on neonics. Massachusetts followed in 2021.
Neonics are neurotoxic insecticides that have been They have been shown to cause harm to pollinators at levels that are comparable to the environment, and are linked with bee population declines. Neonics can harm bees and impair their ability fight off diseases, forage for food and survive winter. Neonics can also negatively affect the immune system. The iconic monarch butterflyAnd Songbirds.
We are grateful to Governor Murphy for signing this important piece of legislation. It has the potential to change the course of bee deaths that are all too frequent, OMalley stated. We also thank the bill’s lead sponsor, Assemblymember Clinton Calabrese. He was instrumental in passing this important legislation.
The bill signing follows eight days of the New Jersey General Assembly passing the bill. This bill builds on federal efforts in protecting pollinators. Namely, federal infrastructure billThe law, which was passed in November, provides for the provision of $2 million in annual grantsTo states and tribes that provide pollinator habitat along roadsides.
New Jersey is carrying the beesaving baton forward in relay to save our pollinators with this last step to limit neonics use, Malia Libby, Conservation Associate for Environment America, Save the Bees. We are seeing momentum in the country to protect our pollinators, with a third state completing such a policy within the last year and federal funding for habitat. We are urging other states to join New Jersey in putting pesticides over pollinators.
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