Neonics / H.706: Urge Your Representatives and Senators to Override the Governor’s Veto
Governor Scott vetoed H.706 - the legislation significantly limiting the use of and exposure to neonicotinoids. In preparation for the veto override session on June 17th, we encourage you to reach out to your representatives to express your support for this bill. This was a very popular bill in the statehouse and across Vermont, but we do not know if there are enough votes in the House and Senate to override the veto at this point. If you are a farmer or farmworker, your voice is very important right now to help representatives understand that this bill is supported by many farmers and farming organizations despite narratives from Governor Scott and others that it is “anti-farmer”. Rural VT and the Protect our Pollinators Coalition have developed this sign-on for farmers, farmworkers, and food professionals in particular to show your support for this bill - but please directly contact your legislators as well!
helpful information and talking points
Work to limit the use of and exposure to neonics in VT has been ongoing for several years. There is precedent for neonic phase-out and transition - very similar to this legislation - in the European Union, in Ontario, in Quebec, and now New York has passed legislation that will phase out treated seed and other uses by 2029. Data and farmer testimony from those regions that have transitioned has shown little to no impact on crop yields or farm economics.
At least 3 of VT’s larger member-based farming organizations have come out in support of this bill, or this bill with some amendments: Rural VT, NOFA VT, and the Champlain Valley Farmers Coalition (CVFC supported this legislation to the extent that it mirrors NY’s legislation). The New York Farm Bureau supported the final version of the NY bill, which this bill is now very similar to. This shows the broad agricultural support across farm types and sizes and regions despite testimony from some seed suppliers and companies, and farms and farmers opposing the bill.
This bill acknowledges and faces the significant negative environmental and biological impacts that neonics are having, their resilience and mobility in the environment, the need to provide time and support for those using the pesticide in transitioning, and the need to protect the vast majority of VT’s farmers and community members who are choosing not to use the pesticide from exposure and impact (these people are currently being non-consensually exposed given what we know about the spread of neonics in the environment away from the immediate location of use, and their far-reaching and systemic impacts).
Testimony has shown that companies took away farmers’ choices related to neonic seed treatment years ago. The challenge related to alternative seed and treatment sourcing for farmers currently using neonics is not related to the availability of seed varieties - it’s related to the willingness of the purveyors of the seed to return their former policy allowing choice for farmers and not universally treat all conventional seed with neonics. It is unacceptable that seed companies’ commitment to proprietary products and profit would threaten our State’s, and our farmers’, ability to practice democracy related to how we farm and what we - and the places we inhabit - are exposed to.
We have data about the negative impacts of neonicotinoids. We need to focus on the real and potential needs of farmers and others in this transition, but we must begin the transition with this bill now.
Find the contact information for your Senators and Representatives here.
Sample Message
Dear Senator / Representative/s _____________,
My name is ____________, I live in _[town]_. [If you are a farmer or farm worker, you can identify that here]. I am writing to communicate my support for H.706 and a just transition away from neonicotinoid pesticides and to urge you to support this bill during the veto override session. This is an important bill for the health and equity of our farming community and food systems, as well as for pollinators and the greater environment.
This bill is important to me because…. [add your own story and points here; eg: This bill acknowledges and faces the significant negative environmental and biological impacts that neonics are having, their resilience and mobility in the environment, the need to provide time and support for those using the pesticide in transitioning, and the need to protect the vast majority of VT’s farmers and community members who are choosing not to use the pesticide from exposure and impact (these people are currently being non-consensually exposed given what we know about the spread of neonics in the environment away from the immediate location of use, and their far-reaching and systemic impacts)]
Work to limit the use of and exposure to neonics in VT has been ongoing for several years. There is precedent for neonic phase-out and transition - very similar to this legislation - in the European Union, in Ontario, in Quebec, and now New York has passed legislation that H.706 is very similar to which will phase out treated seed and other uses by 2029. Data and farmer testimony from those regions that have transitioned have shown little to no impact on crop yields or farm economics.
Please support reasonable and important amendments to H.706 bringing it more in line with the House-passed version, and work to ensure its passage on the Senate Floor. Thank you for your attention and work.
Respectfully,
_____________