New Jersey Neonicotinoid Ban Becomes Law

On January 18, Governor Murphy signed New Jersey S1016, a groundbreaking bill that prohibits outdoor, non-agricultural neonicotinoid use. The bill bans up to 70% of neonicotinoids currently used in the state, and received bipartisan support. 

The bill also requires the Department of Environmental Protection to review the latest scientific information regarding neonicotinoids every three years, adding emerging pesticides to the restricted-use list. 

Why S1016 Matters:

Neonicotinoids are a group of neurotoxic insecticides that include chemicals like acetamiprid, clothianidin, and dinotefuran. This group of insecticides is linked to the disappearance of pollinators and colony collapse disorder. 

• New Jersey beekeepers now typically lose 40-50% of their colonies each year.
• 20,000 New Jersey bee colonies contribute to the production of nearly $200 million worth of pollinator-dependent crops
• Neonicotinoid use has also been linked with declining bird populations, the collapse of fisheries, and birth defects in other species such as white-tailed deer. 

What are other states doing?

Currently, at least 8 states are considering legislation that addresses neonic use, and 11 states are considering legislation to improve overall pollinator health. View Legislation.

Bill Sponsors

This bill was sponsored by NCEL State Lead Senator Bob Smith, Senator Kip Bateman, Assemblymember Clinton Calabrese, Assemblymember Raj Mukherji, and Assemblymember Daniel Benson.