Tonya Albee

Dear Members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am a resident of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, and an organic, native-plant gardener. I respectfully urge you to support HB 1086, which would restrict the use of neonicotinoid-coated seeds in our state. These chemicals persist in soil and are highly water-soluble, remaining in groundwater and surface waters for months — even years. They are causing significant harm to pollinators, beneficial insects, and aquatic life that our state depends upon. Research has shown that neonicotinoid seed coatings are among the most significant sources of this highly toxic contamination in our environment. At present, many New Hampshire feed-corn farmers have little choice but to purchase neonic-coated seeds. These coatings are already applied when the seed is sold, and studies indicate that nearly 40% of farmers are unaware the seeds they buy are treated. Moreover, only about 5% of the chemical is absorbed by the plant; the remaining 95% enters the soil, groundwater, and surrounding waterways, where it kills non-target insects that are essential food sources for birds, fish, mammals, and amphibians. Because these pesticides are applied as a coating rather than sprayed in the field, they often escape meaningful federal regulation and oversight. Our neighbors in Vermont and New York already have legislation eliminating these seed coatings. Quebec banned them years ago, with farmers reporting no negative impacts and no loss of crop yield. Passing HB 1086 would give New Hampshire farmers more choices while significantly improving water quality, restoring pollinator populations, strengthening soil health, and protecting our state’s natural resources. I respectfully ask you to support this important bipartisan legislation. Thank you for your consideration. Tonya Albee