Eugene, Oregon is the first U.S. city to ban these persistent pesticides on public land.
Eugene takes a formal stand against harmful neonicotinoids
On February 26, Eugene’s City Council unanimously passed a Council Resolution, “Enhancing Current Integrated Pest Management in Parks” and banning the use of neonicotinoid pesticides on all City of Eugene-owned property. Neonicotinoids are systemic chemicals absorbed by plants and transferred through the vascular system, making the plant itself toxic to insects. This is effective for pest control, however, poses risks particularly to the pollinators that visit these plants and rely on their nectar for survival.
While the European Union recently placed a two-year restriction on its use, according to bee advocates around the nation, Eugene is the first U.S. city to ban these persistent pesticides on public land. Use of these chemicals has been linked to the demise of honey bee colonies, and officials around the country have grappled with complex solutions. Parks and Open Space Director Craig Carnagey is pleased that our community is leading the way on this issue. “We hope the ripple effect of this decision will have a broad impact across the nation.”
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