The growing and widespread use of toxic neonicotinoid pesticides (“neonics”) is a major contributor to the alarming decline of honey bees. This poses a serious threat to our food supply, to wildlife and to human health. We need to pass the 2015 Pollinator Protection Act (SB163/HB605) to label nursery plants treated with toxic, bee-killing pesticides and restrict their consumer use.

Beekeepers have reported average hive losses of 30 percent or higher each year since 2006; in 2012, Maryland beekeepers lost nearly 50 percent of their hives. These numbers are simply not sustainable.