A public comment period is underway over the regulations affecting neonicotinoid seed treatments. Minnesota Corn Growers Association Senior Public Policy Director Amanda Bilek said the issue stems from litigation filed by environmental groups against the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. “What we have seen in recent years is that there is more activity that’s happening from the litigation side,” said Bilek.”This current public comment period started because of a lawsuit that the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy filed against the Department of Agriculture last year, challenging the adequacy of the current pesticide regulations in Minnesota for protecting the environment and human health.” MCGA supports the federal pesticide registration process administered by the EPA. “There are teams of scientists at the Environmental Protection Agency that review reams of data,” said Bilek. “EPA has the technical and scientific ability to review these products and make sure impacts to the environment and human health are minimized.” Public comments will be accepted through July 31 as part of a court-approved agreement.
