BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1789
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Date of Hearing: May 14, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 1789 (Williams) - As Amended: April 22, 2014
Policy Committee: Vote:6-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)
to issue a determination on its reevaluation of neonicotinoid
pesticides by January 1, 2018. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires DPR to issue a reevaluation of neonicotinoids and
requires DPR to adopt any control measures necessary to
protect pollinator health within two years after making the
reevaluation.
2)Requires DPR, if control measures are not adopted within two
years, to report to the Legislature setting forth the reasons,
Requires DPR to update the report every year until the
control measures are adopted.
3)Makes legislative findings about the importance of bees to
California's agricultural economy, the rapid decline of bee
colonies in the United States, and the intent of the
Legislature to set a timeline for completion of the
reevaluation of neonicotinoid compounds.
FISCAL EFFECT
No additional costs. DPR is currently reevaluating
neonicotinoid pesticides and expects to meet the deadline
provided in this bill.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale. Based on data submitted to DPR showing a potential
hazard to honey bees from the pesticide imidacloprid, DPR
initiated a reevaluation process for imidacloprid and three
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related neonicotinoid compounds in February of 2009. DPR has
been working with the manufacturers to acquire additional data
on neonicotinoid residues found in pollen, nectar, and leaf
samples of a variety of plant species. DPR is also asking
manufacturers to conduct studies on the acute toxicity of the
compounds on honey bee larvae.
According to the author, a timeline to complete the
reevaluation will help to prioritize and expedite reviews of
submitted reports so the science can be evaluated and control
measures can be adopted.
2)Background. Beginning in October 2006, beekeepers began
reporting losses of 30-90% of their hives. According to the
Bee Informed partnership, U.S. beekeepers lost 45% of the
colonies in their operation during the winter of 2012/2013.
Those operating in California almond orchards lost more than
50% of their bees during that time. While some colony loss is
normal, this loss rate is rapid and unsustainable.
The rapid decline of bee colonies is continuing to be
investigated, but known stressors on bee colony health include
tracheal mites, loss of available habitat with a rich mix of
nutritional pollens, inability of the bee immune system to
protect it from disease, lack of genetic diversity, toxic
plant pollens, and exposure to pesticides.
3)Pesticides. According to the US EPA, neonicotinoids are a
class of insecticides with a common mode of action that
affects the central nervous system of insects, causing
paralysis and death. Some uncertainties have been identified
since the initial registration of neonicotinoids regarding
their potential environmental impacts, particularly as they
relate to pollinators. Data suggests that neonicotinic
residues can accumulate in pollen and nectar of treated
plants, potentially exposing pollinators to high levels of the
chemicals. Adverse effects data and bee kill incidents have
also been reported, highlighting the potential direct and/or
indirect effects of neonicotinic pesticides on pollinators.
4)Federal Action. In response to the reports of neonicotinoids'
potential adverse effects on pollinators, US EPA decided to
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review the registration of all of the neonicotinoid
pesticides. The registration review docket for imidacloprid
opened in December 2008, and is scheduled for completion in
2016 - 2017. Acetamiprid (scheduled for completion in 2018 -
2019), clothianidin (2017 - 2018), dinotefuran (2017 - 2018),
thiacloprid (2018 - 2019) and thiamethoxam (2017 - 2018) are
all also undergoing federal review.
In addition to the registration review program, on August 15,
2013, US EPA released new pesticide label requirements for
neonicotinoid pesticides that further restrict their use where
bees and other pollinators are present. Manufacturers of
pesticides were ordered to change their labeling to include a
bee hazard icon that provides information on varying exposure
and spray drift precautions.
Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081