
Help restrict the worst uses of neonic pesticides
States are stepping up to regulate harmful neonicotinoid pesticides. Learn how policies vary and their impact on pollinator protection.
TAKE ACTION
Conservation Advocate, Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center
Senior Director, Conservation America Campaign, Environment America Research & Policy Center
Pesticide Program Specialist, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
As part of our state’s broader effort to protect bees and other pollinators critical to life on earth, Oregon has taken a few steps over the years to restrict the use of neonicotinoid pesticides (also known as “neonics”). The city of Eugene was even the first in the nation to ban the use of neonic pesticides on city property in 2014, and Portland followed suit shortly after. Statewide, it has been ten years since the Oregon Department of Agriculture banned the use of four neonicotinoid products on Linden, Basswood and other Tilia trees, but with pollinators still facing dramatic declines, additional action is required. Along with our coalition partners including the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, we are working toward becoming the next state to take further action to save the bees, reaffirming Oregon’s legacy of environmental sustainability.
More than 80% of flowering plants and about one-third of the food we eat rely on pollinators to reproduce. Yet, pesticides like neonics are one of the leading drivers of pollinator declines, along with habitat loss and climate change. Neonics are the most widely used class of insecticides, and they are uniquely harmful to pollinators. These chemicals are highly persistent in the environment, which means pollinators can be exposed months to years after they are applied. They are also highly mobile, poisoning nearby plants and waterways. The ripple effects of losing pollinators and other essential species to these pesticides could threaten the balance of ecosystems here in Oregon, across the country and even globally.
Efforts to regulate neonics are gaining momentum across the U.S. To date, 12 states have implemented policies restricting their outdoor use, limiting exposure to bees and other pollinators. Here are the key highlights:
Categorizes neonics as “limited use” pesticides, restricting sales to licensed dealers and use to licensed applicators.
State-level restrictions on neonicotinoids are not just about regulation — they’re about survival. Bees, butterflies and other pollinators are essential for healthy ecosystems, and the actions taken by states like Oregon and others represent a collective effort to secure a future where both humans and nature can thrive.
If we don't put a stop to the overuse of toxic pesticides soon, bee populations will continue to collapse. Send a message to your legislators calling for heightened restrictions on toxic bee-killing pesticides today.
TAKE ACTION
As the Conservation Advocate for Environment Oregon, Justin runs our campaign to protect and restore Oregon’s special places and the myriad wildlife that call them home. Justin has worked on campaigns to protect the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, clean up superfund sites along the Willamette River and promote solar energy in Oregon. In recent years, he was part of the Public Interest Network’s Creative and Editorial team where he developed campaign logos and materials connected to dozens of campaigns, turned deep-dive research into digestible interactive features for our websites, and created myriad tools for campaigns to help win real results for the environment and the public interest. Justin lives in Portland with his children where they regularly explore the diversity that Oregon’s environment has to offer: From the coast to the high desert and the many amazing rivers, lakes, forests and mountains in between.
Senior Director, Conservation America Campaign, Environment America Research & Policy Center
Started on staff: 1991 B.A., Wartburg College Steve directs Environment America’s efforts to protect our public lands and waters and the species that depend on them. He led our successful campaign to win full and permanent funding for our nation’s best conservation and recreation program, the Land and Water Conservation Fund. He previously oversaw U.S. PIRG’s public health campaigns. Steve lives in Sacramento, California, with his family, where he enjoys biking and exploring Northern California.
Pesticide Program Specialist, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Jacqueline works with Xerces partners and community leaders to reduce pesticide use in towns, cities, and campuses through strategic outreach and policy action. Throughout her career, Jacqueline has worked within local governments to enhance their integrated pest and pollinator management, promote biological control, and reduce reliance on pesticides. Her greatest passion is working directly with community members and decision makers to protect the invertebrate life that sustains us.