The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") recently proposed a new measure aimed at protecting the declining bee population. The proposal would add restrictions on the use of acutely toxic pesticides during times when bees are most likely to be present. In effect, the proposed rule would create temporary pesticide-free zones when certain plants are in bloom and bees are trucked in to farms by professional beekeepers to pollinate the crops. Such bees constitute the majority of honeybees in the United States. Although the pesticide restrictions would apply to virtually all insecticides, they would affect only the property where bees are working, not neighboring land. In addition, the proposal would not apply to residential pesticide use or home beekeeping, but is instead restricted to farms where professional beekeepers bring in hives to help pollinate the crops. The proposal is part of the Obama administration's initiative to protect pollinators. Although the proposed rule would not eliminate pesticide exposure to honeybees, it would reduce the exposure.
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