Over 30 million bees found dead in Elmwood, Canada

[DreamGypsy]

57. After the Wilsonville incident, the Oregon Dept of Agriculture instituted a temporary restriction...

...on products containing dinotefuran. The following is from the ODA Pollinator Incident Web Page

Restrictions on Use or Application of Specific Pesticides
OAR 603-057-0386
(1) Any application, regardless of application method, of a pesticide product containing the active ingredient dinotefuran on plants is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, applications on landscape trees and shrubs, nursery and greenhouse plants, turfgrass, forests and agricultural crops.
(2) Failure to comply with section (1) above may result in one or more of the following actions:
(a) Revocation, suspension or refusal to issue or renew the license or certification of an applicant, licensee or certificate holder;
(b) Imposition of a civil penalty;
(c) Any other enforcement action authorized under any law

An automated message was sent to all licensed pesticide applicators and consultants. The message stated:
"Effective June 27, 2013 the Oregon Department of Agriculture is restricting the use of 18 insecticide products containing the active ingredient dinotefuran while it continues investigating two large bumblebee kills. Common trade names of products include, but are not limited to, Safari, Venom, Scorpion, and Zylam.

The temporary rule prohibits the application of dinotefuran containing products on plants, and will be in effect June 27 – December 24, 2013.

It's only for 180 days, but that covers the current crop season and gives the ODA time to do more investigation.

The link provided has other useful information including a FAQ, for example:

10. I want to know more about some of the pesticides that I own. Where can I get information on pesticides?
A. An excellent source for pesticide information is the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC). Their website address is: www.npic.orst.edu and their telephone number is: 1-800-858-7378.

11. The media is calling this a ban. Are all uses affected?
A. No. The Oregon Department of Agriculture did not ban the pesticide, dinotefuran. What we have done is restrict the use of the product, through emergency rule-making, to help protect pollinators. All applications to plants have been restricted.

There is also an email address where you can submit specific questions you might have.


As a blueberry grower (a crop which depends on bees for pollination) I am pretty happy with how the AG Department operates in Oregon. Agriculture is an important part of the Oregon economy, but we also (generally) care about our environment, health, and community.