Senate advances bill to curb neonicotinoid pesticides, ties some dates to New York law

The Vermont Senate took up H706, a bill to prohibit the sale and many outdoor uses of neonicotinoid pesticides, adopting the Agriculture Committee's strike‑all amendment and ordering the measure for third reading.

Senate Agriculture Committee reporter summarized the bill's scope: the proposal would prohibit sale and use of neonic‑treated article seeds for soybeans and cereal grain crops and ban many outdoor applications of neonics during bloom beginning July 1, 2025, while establishing an exemption order process. The reporter said the committee took testimony from 32 witnesses during its review and that the revised exemption process mirrors New York's, requiring applicants to complete integrated pest management training and submit a pest risk assessment as part of a written exemption order.

Floor debate focused on two recurring concerns: (1) whether tying some effective dates to New York's parallel prohibitions is appropriate, and (2) whether seed availability and market pressure will permit Vermont farmers to transition away from treated seeds. One senator said the committee moved some dates to allow farmers to see New York's experience and for seed suppliers to adjust, explaining that Vermont has about 90,000 acres of cropland and may lack the market leverage of a larger state.

Supporters pointed to evidence from nearby provinces where untreated seeds have been used, and the committee noted testimony from Quebec and Ontario; the reporter said Quebec has been using untreated seed for roughly five years. Opponents and some farm representatives raised concerns about yield impacts and the need for transition assistance; a floor senator stated that few farmers came to support an outright ban in testimony and asked the body to provide a pathway for seed supply and farmer adaptation.

The Senate adopted the committee amendment and ordered H706 to third reading; senators indicated they may offer additional amendments on third reading to adjust timing or exemption details.