Sponsored by:
Assemblyman GILBERT "WHIP" L. WILSON
District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)
SYNOPSIS
Requires training for pesticide applicators and operators concerning pollinating bees.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act requiring training for pesticide applicators and operators concerning pollinating bees and amending P.L.1971, c.176.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 4 of P.L.1971, c.176 (C.13:1F-4) is amended to read as follows:
4. a. The commissioner shall have the power to formulate and promulgate, amend and repeal orders, rules and regulations prohibiting, conditioning and controlling the sale, purchase, transportation, labeling, use and application, or any thereof, of pesticides which cause or may tend to cause adverse effects on man or the environment by any person within this State. State rules and regulations with respect to the labeling of any pesticide, the labeling of which is prescribed by Federal law and regulations, shall to the extent practicable conform to the Federal requirements.
b. In addition to any other training and licensing requirements established by the commissioner pursuant to P.L.1971, c.176 (C.13:1F-1 et seq.), a person seeking certification and licensing as a pesticide applicator or a commercial pesticide operator shall be required to complete a continuing education or training course, approved by the department, concerning the impact of pesticides on pollinating bees.
For the purposes of this subsection, “pollinating bee” means any bee that causes a plant to make fruits or seeds by transferring pollen from a plant anther to a plant stigma, resulting in fertilization.
(cf: P.L.1971, c.176, s.4)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to establish a basic training course for pesticide applicators and operators concerning the use of pesticides with respect to pollinating bees. Pollinating bees cause plants to make fruits or seeds by transferring pollen from a plant anther to a plant stigma resulting in fertilization.
Pollinating bees are important to New Jersey’s working farms producing blueberries, cranberries, tomatoes, and peppers. Pollinating bees are vital to the health of diverse ecosystems, because the fruits and seeds derived from bee pollination are a major part of the diet of all birds and mammals, including over 30 percent of the foods and beverages that we consume. The benefits that pollinating bees provide to New Jersey have been documented through extensive research at Rutgers, the Statue University, and other institutions of higher learning.
This bill would make certain that commercial pesticide applicators are trained to avoid reduce or eliminate the impact pesticides have on pollinating bee populations in New Jersey.