House committee buzzes over governor's executive order on pollinator decline

Farmers were caught off guard by Gov. Mark Dayton’s Aug. 26 executive order calling for steps to reverse the pollinator decline in the state, resulting in Tuesday’s informational hearing of the House Agriculture Policy Committee hoping to give producers clarification on how the order could affect their operations. No action was taken.

The order came shortly after the release of an 18-month study, giving little time for review by the farming industry, said committee chair Rep. Paul Anderson (R-Starbuck).

Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson tried to assure members the order was the governor’s way to “set the table,” and begin a serious discussion on the issue. “Pollinators are indeed in trouble and let’s not forget that, and we need to take some proactive steps in the state.”

WATCH Full video of the committee hearing on YouTube

Saying Dayton’s response to the issue should not be news, Frederickson cited a 2013 request from the Legislature asking for the report on neonicotinoid use and registration and the February pollinator summit. He has received over 400 public comments. “The governor relied on the work we have been doing over the last 24 months. … What we want to do here is to start a dialogue,” Frederickson said.

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The executive order lays out eight requirements and a series of recommendations that include:

• verification of need prior to the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, where appropriate;
• review of pesticide product labels and implement restrictions, as appropriate, to minimize impact on pollinators;
• establish an interagency pollinator protection team;
• increase inspections and enforcement of label requirements for pesticides that are acutely toxic to pollinators; and
• management of state-owned transportation properties and rights of way by the Department of Transportation to create, protect and enhance pollinator habitat.

The heartburn producers are having comes from the uncertainty of when the order will be implemented and at what cost.

Rep. Jason Rarick (R-Pine City) noted the order specifies that some items need “immediate action.”

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Frederickson’s read is the department is to begin action immediately, such as to put the pollinator team together and research the items that may need legislative action for implementation. For producers, he said following the order is primarily asking them to “follow the label” on the various products.

Rep. David Bly (DFL-Northfield) said there will be more time for input on the issue that goes beyond just the farming community. “I think we are at the beginning of the process of how to deal with the threat to pollinators. I think that the governor has taken some positive steps.”