Tell the EPA to Regulate Neonic-Coated Seeds as Pesticides

From PennEnvironment (http://www.pennenvironment.org):

A single seed dipped in pesticides can kill a songbird.¹

Seeds for major crops are dipped and coated in neonicotinoids, a class of pesticides also known as neonics that are toxic to pollinators including bees and birds.

Neonic-coated seeds are poisoning and even killing wildlife. Ask the EPA to protect wildlife from seeds dipped in toxic pesticides at https://pennenvironment.webaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=53429.

This spring, seeds coated in bee-killing pesticides will be planted all across the country.

Seed coatings represent the most common use of neonics in the U.S. Every year, 150 million acres are planted with neonic-coated seeds, from soybeans to corn to wheat.²

But these seeds aren’t considered pesticides by the EPA, which doesn’t regulate them like other pesticides in the U.S. The agency only regulates directly sprayed pesticides, creating a loophole and letting this problem grow out of control.

The toxic effects of seeds dipped in pesticides are significant. Many farms plant seeds using industrial farm equipment that churns up the seeds and creates a toxic airborne dust that can kill bees flying by. That dust can also drift and settle directly onto a bee’s home or favorite flower.³

Once in the ground, the pesticides from the seeds can leach into the soil. Native bees can be exposed to the pesticides when they burrow or make their nests in the contaminated soil. And if seeds are left behind, birds looking for a snack can happen upon a tasty-looking seed with a toxic surprise.

Tell the EPA: Regulate neonic-coated seeds as pesticides.

The benefits of pesticide-coated seeds are exaggerated. The EPA’s own research found little benefit to coating soybeans in neonics.⁴ And some studies have found that the seeds reduced crop yields because they kill off the natural predators of the target pests.⁵

The problems created by these seeds have become ingrained in our agricultural system, with many farms not even having the option to buy untreated seeds. Without more oversight, our agricultural landscape will continue to be toxic for wildlife.

These seeds are creating unnecessary risks for wildlife for debatable benefits. We need the EPA to label and regulate pesticide-coated seeds like any other pesticide.

Take action: Seeds coated with pesticides should be regulated like any other pesticide.

1. Kimberly A. Stoner, “Best Management Practices for Farmers Using Seeds Treated With Neonicotinoid Insecticides,” Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, January 1, 2017.
2. S.D. Frank and J.F. Tooker, “Neonicotinoids pose undocumented threats to food webs,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), September 2, 2020.
3. Kimberly A. Stoner, “Best Management Practices for Farmers Using Seeds Treated With Neonicotinoid Insecticides,” Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, January 1, 2017.
4. “Benefits of Neonicotinoid Seed Treatments to Soybean Production,” Environmental Protection Agency, last accessed January 4, 2023.
5. Kimberly A. Stoner, “Best Management Practices for Farmers Using Seeds Treated With Neonicotinoid Insecticides,” Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, January 1, 2017.