John,

Seeds coated in toxic neonicotinoid pesticides are devastating to bees.

We rely on bees to pollinate more than 70 of the 100 crops that provide 90% of the world's food -- everything from fruits, vegetables and nuts to the alfalfa used to feed dairy cows.1

Seeds coated in neonicotinoids, or neonics, are putting that in jeopardy.

Tell the EPA: No bees, no food. It's time to regulate neonic-coated seeds.

Bees are critical to our food supply -- but we're dousing our farms in pesticides that kill bees.

An estimated 4 million pounds of neonics are applied to nearly 200 million acres of plants across the country each year.2

Part of what makes neonics so deadly is how they're used. Neonics are often applied to seeds as a coating, making the entire plant deadly to bees as it grows. The coated seeds also shed into the water, soil and air.3

Neonics can stay toxic for years and accumulate over multiple growing seasons.4

Just one neonic-coated seed is dangerous enough to kill a songbird.5

Take action today: Tell the EPA to regulate neonic-coated seeds.

These pesticides are already bad enough, but it gets worse: A massive loophole means that seeds coated in neonics aren't even being regulated properly as pesticides.

We shouldn't be putting bees and our food supply at risk, especially when there are safer ways to grow our food.

Here's the good news, John: The EPA is considering whether to close the neonic-coated seed loophole, and they're accepting public input until next week.

It's time to crack down on neonic-coated seeds. Add your name to our petition before the EPA's Dec. 11 deadline.

Thank you for taking action,

Faye Park
President

1. Emily Rogers, "How the widespread use of a bee-killing pesticide is threatening our food supply," PIRG, December 12, 2022.
2. Andria M. Cimino, Abee L. Boyles, Kristina A. Thayer, Melissa J. Perry, "Effects of Neonicotinoid Pesticide Exposure on Human Health: A Systematic Review," Environmental Health Perspectives, February 2017.
3. Tom Perkins, "EPA sued over pesticide-coated seeds' 'devastating impacts' on US wildlife," The Guardian, June 10, 2023.
4. Thomas James Wood and Dave Goulson, "The environmental risks of neonicotinoid pesticides: a review of the evidence post 2013," Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, June 7, 2017.
5. Kimberly A. Stoner, "Best Management Practices for Farmers Using Seeds Treated With Neonicotinoid Insecticides," Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, January 1, 2017.

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