Groups Challenge California's Approval Of Neonicotinoids

Posted by Christina Bucciere|July 9, 2014

Three organizations — Pesticide Action Network, Center for Food Safety, and Beyond Pesticides — represented by Earthjustice, filed July 8 a legal challenge in the California Superior Court for the County of Alameda, urging the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to stop approving neonicotinoids pending its completion of a comprehensive scientific review of impacts to honeybees.

The lawsuit challenges DPR’s June 13, 2014 decision to expand the use of two neonicotinoid insecticides.

One in every three bites of food depends on bees for pollination, and the annual value of pollination services worldwide are estimated at more than $125 billion. In the U.S., pollination contributes $20 to $30 billion in agricultural production annually. And in California alone, almonds crops — entirely dependent on bees for pollination — are valued at more than $3 billion.

California legislators are currently advancing a bill (AB 1789) that would compel DPR to finish its review of neonicotinoids within the next two years. The bill will be taken up again when the legislature returns from recess in August.

To read the full news release, click here.