Saving America’s Pollinators Act of 2021

Saving America's Pollinators Act of 2021

This bill addresses the use of certain pesticides and the health and status of native bees and other pollinators.

First, the bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a Pollinator Protection Board to develop an independent review process for pesticides that pose a threat to pollinators and their habitats.

All active ingredients and pesticide products that contain one or more specified neonicotinoid pesticides must be deemed to generally cause unreasonable adverse effects to the environment. Under the bill, the registration of all uses of neonicotinoid pesticides must be immediately and permanently canceled.

The EPA must revoke any tolerance or exemption that allows the presence of a neonicotinoid pesticide, or any pesticide chemical residue that results from neonicotinoid pesticide use, in or on food.

The continued sale or use of existing stocks of neonicotinoid pesticides is prohibited, and the EPA may not register any such pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.

The bill requires the Department of the Interior, the EPA, and the Department of Agriculture to coordinate monitoring activities and report on the health and population status of native bees and other pollinators.

Finally, a state or federal agency may be granted an exemption to use neonicotinoid pesticides if the board votes that use of the pesticide is warranted (1) in an emergency situation to avert significant risk to threatened or endangered species, (2) to quarantine invasive species, or (3) to protect public health.

Bill 117 HR 4079, also known as the Saving America's Pollinators Act of 2021, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of protecting and preserving the populations of pollinators in the United States. Pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and birds, play a crucial role in the ecosystem by facilitating the pollination of plants, which is essential for the production of fruits, vegetables, and other crops.

The bill seeks to address the decline in pollinator populations by implementing a number of measures. These include banning the use of certain pesticides that have been linked to the decline of pollinators, such as neonicotinoids and glyphosate. The bill also calls for the establishment of a task force to study the impact of pesticides on pollinators and develop strategies to protect them.

Additionally, the Saving America's Pollinators Act of 2021 aims to promote the planting of pollinator-friendly habitats, such as wildflower meadows and native plant gardens, to provide food and shelter for pollinators. The bill also includes provisions for funding research into pollinator health and conservation efforts. Overall, the Saving America's Pollinators Act of 2021 is a comprehensive piece of legislation that seeks to address the decline of pollinator populations in the United States through a combination of regulatory measures, research funding, and habitat conservation efforts.