Pesticide coated seed loophole
The wealthy pesticide industry can sell more insecticide coated seed using a loophole in federal pesticide law - “treated article exemption” which permits seeds to be coated with toxic pesticides without assessment by the EPA for health or environmental effects.
Neonicotinoid insecticides are systemic insecticides which spread through a plant’s vascular system making the entire plant toxic to pollinators.
Currently, there are not adequate federal or Minnesota state safeguards for the health of people and the environment from pesticide contamination from coated seed nor is insecticide-coated seed currently regulated as a pesticide in Minnesota. New provisions are needed to protect us, pollinators and the environment from contamination disasters and chronic pesticide contamination.
There are several legislative bills in 2021 and 2022 that have been proposed to make no-nonsense provisions.
HF766/SF794: This bill will insure pesticide-coated seed is properly stored and handled so water and land is not contaminated and make sure toxic unused corn seed will not be used in ethanol plants in Minnesota similar to Nebraska's recent catastrophe.
ACTION: Contact Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen and/or Governor Tim Walz. Tell them Minnesota needs to be protected by a state law HF766/SF794 that specifically bans the use of treated seeds being used in making ethanol and requires safe disposal. Prevent the environmental disaster taking place in Mead, Nebraska by passing this important bill.