Bees and pesticides: Oregon task force seeks balance

Banning or restricting a class of pesticides that have been shown to harm bees and other pollinators would harm vulnerable people who use them to get rid of bedbugs, a chemical distributor representative told an Oregon task force studying the issue.

"Neonics are the products of choice that are being used to eradicate this pest," said Chris Winson, of Univar Environmental Sciences Division. "Other methods – our most vulnerable citizens cannot afford them."

Winson also works as a pesticide consultant for the state, she said.

The Task Force on Pollinator Health heard public comments this week on its proposed report to the Legislature.

Lawmakers created the task force this year after several highly publicized bee die-offs, including one at a Wilsonville shopping center where 50,000 bumblebees died.

Seven reported bee die-offs in the state resulted from the use of neonicotinoids, a systemic pesticide that can harm birds, bees and other pollinators.

Some task force members proposed restricting or banning use of the neonicotinoids in the state, but it wasn't one of the group's consensus recommendations.

The group has proposed:

• Developing strong outreach and education on protecting pollinators and clearly explaining how bee-related incidents should be reported.

• Continuing to work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to improve pesticide use labels.

• Funding a state-of-the-art bee health diagnostic facility at Oregon State University and improving required training for pesticide applicators.

• Raising bee hive registration fees and pesticide registration fees to help fund pollinator health programs.

The task force also received written comments from two Washington County beekeepers saying that the proposals will discourage hobby beekeepers.

"The morphing into an effort to research, regulate and involuntarily include government into every beekeeper's existence is onerous," beekeeper Charles Thompson wrote.

Lawmakers will use the report to help develop proposals for the 2015 Legislative session.

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