The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a rule that would place label restrictions on pesticides in order to protect bees. The label restrictions would prohibit bloom-time foliar application of pesticides acutely toxic to bees when managed bees are known to be present.
EPA will accept comment on the proposed rule until June 29, 2015. In addition, EPA is also seeking comment on a proposal to rely on efforts made by states and tribes to reduce pesticide exposures through development of locally based measures, specifically through managed-pollinator protection plans.