Activists call for ban on chemical coating of seeds

WASHINGTON – Two public health groups have filed a lawsuit over the use of insecticide-coated seeds which have potential to harm birds and bees. 

In a lawsuit Thursday, the groups demanded that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) close loopholes in the regulations.

The loopholes allow companies to coat seeds with chemicals called neonics.

They lawsuit claimed that chemicals are harmful to bees and songbirds.

These seeds have spread to 150 million acres of farmland in the U.S.

The Center for Food Safety (CFS) and the Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) point out in their lawsuit that the EPA only regulates pesticides that are sprayed directly on crops.

“The EPA has long failed to regulate neonics, denying a rulemaking petition filed by CFS in 2017 which asked them to close the loophole which allows neonic-coated seeds to be used to grow corn, soy, and other crops across the country,” said the lawsuit. 

Companies are using this loophole to coat seeds with insecticides.

Senior attorney Amy van Saun explained that toxic neonics can cause paralysis and death in important pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

“That decision is as unlawful as it is irresponsible. EPA is supposed to protect these species and habitats, not enable their peril, and we are asking the court to tell the agency to do its job,” said Saun. 

More than 80% of a seed’s coating can spread into the environment, contaminating air, soil, and waterways.

Neon-coated corn seed used as feedstock at an ethanol plant in Mead, Nebraska, in 2021 has been linked to serious health problems for residents.

Senior scientists PANNA Margaret Reeves said EPA’s allowing pesticide-coated seeds is jeopardizing and endangering species across the country.

“EPA must close the regulatory loophole for toxic pesticide-coated seeds to prevent further harm to wildlife, ecosystems, and people,” she said.