HARRISBURG – Berks County Sen. Judy Schwank plans to introduce legislation that would ban neonic seed treatments for field crops. Neonics have been found to harm pollinators, soil insects, and integrated pest management systems. Schwank says by banning neonic seed treatments for field crops, we will not only strengthen protections for beneficial insects, but we will also realign ourselves with the agricultural best practices of integrated pest management. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, three quarters of the world’s most productive food crops depend upon insects and other animals for pollination. Schwank, who is Minority Chair of the PA Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, is circulating a co-sponsorship memo seeking support of her proposal.
SEN. JUDY SCHWANK