Last week the Maryland Senate passed Senate Bill 198, a pollinator health bill that would eliminate the sale of neonicotinoid pesticides at the retail level. The measure passed by a vote of 32-14.
The bill, as passed, does not restrict neonicotinoid pesticide use by certified applicators. During debate, landscape professionals won a significant victory by successfully lobbying for the removal of the word “direct” from the legislation. Without this important revision, the proposal would have required pesticide applicators to work directly under the supervision of a certified applicator, a distinction that could potentially complicate daily business operations. The bill next moves to the House of Delegates for further consideration. An identical bill in the House received a committee hearing earlier this year, but no further action has been taken. NALP and its allies will continue to monitor the Maryland legislation closely and will oppose any efforts to impose restrictions on neonic use that would negatively impact landscape professionals.
