FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Madison, WI – The Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance, a wildlife advocacy and environmental protection group, expresses its strong support for the Petition Seeking Rulemaking for Registration of Neonicotinoid Insecticides and Other Systemic Insecticides (EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0428) on behalf of the Great Lakes region.

Neonicotinoids are systemic insecticides used in agriculture, landscaping, and home gardening to control pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and beetles. However, these insecticides have been shown to harm beneficial insects, including honey bees, bumblebees, and butterflies, as well as non-target species, such as birds and aquatic organisms.

The Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance is deeply concerned about the harmful effects of neonicotinoids on the environment and wildlife. They can contribute directly to declines in the populations of grassland and insectivorous birds, such as bobolinks, meadowlarks, and swallows, by reducing insect populations by up to 90%. In addition, neonicotinoids can contaminate waterways and harm aquatic organisms, such as fish and amphibians. They can also persist in soil and water for years, posing a long-term threat to ecosystem viability.

Despite these risks, the EPA registered neonicotinoids without first requiring data on their efficacy. This is especially concerning because numerous scientific studies now show that they are ineffective and thus not needed as seed treatments in most applications.

Therefore, the Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance urges the EPA to amend its existing regulations under the Federal Insecticide, Rodenticide, and Fungicide Act to require all applicants and registrants of neonicotinoid and other systemic insecticides to provide performance (efficacy) data to EPA in applications for registration and during registration review. This will help to correct the existing regulatory shortfalls for systemic insecticides and protect wildlife and the environment.

“We believe it is essential to take immediate action to regulate neonicotinoid insecticides and protect wildlife,” said Smith, Director for the Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance. “As a wildlife advocacy and environmental protection group, we are committed to promoting environmental sustainability and protecting our planet’s biodiversity. We urge the EPA to take a strong stance on this issue and prioritize the health of our ecosystems.”

The Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance joins a growing coalition of organizations and individuals who support the Petition Seeking Rulemaking for Registration of Neonicotinoid Insecticides and Other Systemic Insecticides (EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0428) and calls on the EPA to take swift action to protect wildlife and the environment.

Contact:

Melissa Smith, Executive Director, Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance

msmith@wiwolvesandwildlife.org (608-234-8860)