Environmental and industry groups are both faulting assertions in EPA's proposal to protect pollinators from acutely toxic pesticides, with advocates questioning an agency statement that exposures of native bees to pesticides are "less certain" than for managed bees under contract for pollination, and industry seeking evidence for claims of bee kills. EPA is currently taking comment through Aug. 28 on the proposal that would limit certain applications of dozens of active ingredients and affect several thousand products. The May 29 proposal is part of a broad federal effort to implement President Obama's June 2014 memo for improving bee health by restoring habitat, assessing risks to bees from pesticides and other stressors, and acting where appropriate.
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