The proposed ban on neonicotinoids won’t apply immediately to Portland’s famous International Test Rose Garden, shown here. Officials say the rose midge, a pest, is difficult to kill without the insecticide. The city will look for an alternative method if the ban passes.
According to an OregonLive.com report , the city of Portland is considering banning neonicotinoids from use on city-owned property. The ban would not apply to private property within the city.
Meanwhile, some state legislators are pushing for a full statewide ban on four types of neonicotinoids — dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and clothianidin — this year.
Portland City Council held a public hearing on Wednesday, March 25, to discuss their proposal. Bee advocates, residents, biologists, conservationists and others testified in favor of the plan. OAN Executive Director Jeff Stone and others testified against. A final City Council vote is expected April 1.
“I think it’s appropriate for us to take this kind of action,” Portland Mayor Charlie Hales said, indicating that the proposal is likely to pass. If the ban is approved, Portland will join Eugene, Seattle, Spokane and the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife in taking actions to ban neonicotinoids.
The statewide ban was brought to the floor by Sen. Floyd Prozanski and Rep. Paul Holvey, both Eugene Democrats. Senate Bill 882 and House Bill 2589 would broaden a rule adopted last month by the state Department of Agriculture that bans the application of any product with those four neonicotinoids on linden trees and related species.
UPDATE: The Portland City Council officially approved the neonicotinoid ban today, according to an OregonLive.com report.
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