Oregon Works to Protect Pollinators

Oregon Works to Protect Pollinators. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

In response to a large bumble bee die off earlier this summer the Oregon Department of Agriculture has announced a series of measures designed to protect bees and other pollinators from exposure to certain pesticide products. A hearing was held last week where steps were outlined that would require specific label statements restricting use of products containing the active ingredients dinotefuran and imidacloprid while strengthening its outreach and education efforts to pesticide users regarding pollinator protection. The Ag Networks David Sparks has more.

SPARKS: ODA is also expanding its educational efforts on pollinator protection to licensed pesticide applicators and the general public. For applicators, additional emphasis on pollinator protection will be included in the required testing and re certification process to become licensed. Outreach to the general public will include information on ODA’s website as well as brochures and other materials distributed through master gardener programs and retail outlets.

Thanks David. In June, ODA adopted a temporary rule that restricted use of 18 pesticide products containing dinotefuran while it continued its investigation of bumblebee deaths in Wilsonville and Hillsboro. That temporary rule will expire next month. Meanwhile, the pesticide use investigations into the pollinator deaths are expected to be completed by mid-December.

That’s today’s Fruit Grower Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.