Bob Eaton

Dear Members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am a Wolfeboro resident who has watched New Hampshire’s insect and bird populations decline at an alarming rate. We must act now. I urge you to support HB 1086, which would restrict the use of neonicotinoid-coated seeds. As an avid outdoorsman and fly fisherman, I have seen firsthand the tragic decline of mayflies—trout’s primary food source—in our streams, particularly in the Connecticut River. I have also witnessed a sharp reduction in bees, pollinators, and other insects. Research clearly shows that neonicotinoid pesticides used to coat corn seeds are a major driver of this decline. Approximately 95% of the pesticide coating does not enter the plant. Instead, it leaches into the soil, groundwater, and nearby waterways. A single coated seed contains enough pesticide to kill a bird—imagine the impact of an entire field. The EPA does not regulate these seed coatings, which is why state action is necessary. Vermont, New York, and Quebec have already taken steps to address this problem. Quebec farmers have demonstrated that effective pest management is possible without neonicotinoid-coated seeds—and that crop yields do not suffer. These coatings are unnecessary and are causing widespread harm to our insect populations and ecosystems. Please support and pass HB 1086. Thank you for your consideration and for working to protect New Hampshire’s natural resources.