NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A2097
SPONSOR: Colton
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
prohibiting the use of pesticides containing Neonicotinoids
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
A ban on the class of pesticides under the class of Neonicotinoids
(Neonics)
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
A ban on pesticides containing neonics for large scale agricultural use
as well as home and personal use. Neonics are related to nicotine.
Pesticides in this family include acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidaclo-
prid, nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Neonics are a dangerous substance to both Humans and wildlife. Neonics
are most commonly used in large scale agricultural environments where
they are sprayed as a top coating. This results in 95% of the pesticide
staying in the soil and the remaining 5% being absorbed into the plant.
The goal of the pesticide in it's use is to be absorbed by the plant so
that bugs that attempt to eat the plant will be poisoned neurologically.
This is particularly harmful to bees which attempt to pollinate the
crops and consequently have their nervous systems damaged by the plant
which is now poisonous due to the application of the pesticide and often
results in death. On the human end foods that have.a large amount of
neonics (soy bean for example) are likely linked to several impediments
including but not limited to developmental defects, autism, heart defor-
mations, muscle tremors, and memory loss. Given the harmful effects on
both humans and wildlife this group of pesticides should be banned for
the safety of humans as well as that of the earth and eco-system.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Unknown
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.