Minnesota Trout Unlimited Petitions State to Regulate Seeds treated with Neonicotinoids

Why did Minnesota Trout Unlimited sign this petition?

Aquatic insects provide the essential food which supports trout fisheries.  The concentrations of two neonics – chemicals designed to kill insects indiscriminately – are routinely found in Minnesota streams at levels harmful and lethal to aquatic insects.  The MDA has determined that seeds coated with neonics are the leading source of these highly toxic, persistent neonics in Minnesota waters.  Yet the MDA is not regulating neonic-treated seeds, despite having authority to do so.  Protecting and improving our trout fisheries requires we act to protect and improve the aquatic insect populations that trout depend on.  

“I remember there used to be huge fly hatches on my favorite trout stream,
but over the years there has been a noticeable decrease.”

The causes of the aquatic insect decline are intertwined. They include habitat loss to agriculture, pollution, impacts of pesticides, invasive species, disease, and climate change. However, research tells us that the 60 plus years of widespread and sometimes unnecessary use of pesticides in agriculture has caused most of the decline in aquatic insects. The use of synthetic pesticides, such as neonicotinoids, has been a major driver in recent years. Neonicotinoids or “neonics” are the most commonly used insecticides nationwide and likely the most ecologically harmful pesticides since DDT.

Neonics decimate aquatic ecosystems. Neonics are highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates that form the base of aquatic food webs. MDA’s own data show “elevated and concerning” neonic concentrations in Minnesota’s surface waters. Levels routinely exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s chronic aquatic life benchmark (ALB) for harm to aquatic invertebrates. MDA concluded that its analysis strongly suggests that clothianidin and imidacloprid concentrations over the EPA’s chronic ALB are sustained for periods more than 21 days in rivers and streams across western and southern Minnesota.” These elevated neonic concentrations are correlated with corn and soybean planting season, which “strongly suggests that neonicotinoids from seed treatments are the primary source of detections and are rapidly transported to rivers and streams after planting.”

Neonics are pervasive. Neonics are “systemic,” meaning they are water soluble, and long lasting. This allows them to rapidly contaminate surface and groundwater and stick around for up to three years. Recent research in Minnesota showed neonics in 97% of water samples from rivers and streams, and 74% of groundwater samples, including at levels above the tolerance level of aquatic insects. Data collected by MDA confirms that neonic-treated seeds are the leading source of harmful neonic contamination in Minnesota waters. Highest levels are detected in May, June and July and following the agricultural crop planting season.

The majority of Neonic use is unregulated. Neonics are used in several ways, including to coat seeds. Although neonics are regulated as a pesticide, treated seeds are exempt from regulation by EPA under its “treated article exemption.” The MDA does not regulate treated seeds. Most of the corn and soybean seeds sold in Minnesota are treated with neonics but escape regulation. When neonics are applied to seeds, they can be absorbed by the plant as it grows, providing systemic protection against insect pests. However, most of these chemicals are not absorbed by the plants. Typically less than 10% is absorbed, leaving over 90% on the surface of the seeds or in the surrounding soil. When it rains or when irrigation water is applied, these surface residues can be washed off the treated seeds and soil and into nearby streams and water bodies.  MDA water samples have shown spikes in neonics following rainfall-runoff events. 

Neonics make no economic sense. Neonic treated seeds have not been shown to offer any overall economic benefit to farmers compared to untreated seeds. The increased cost of treated seeds is greater than any marginal increase yield. Additionally, use of neonic on lawns and gardens is unnecessary. In contrast, trout fishing is an economic boon to southeast Minnesota and contributes nearly 1 billion dollars per year to the State’s economy.

What’s next?

The MDA has 60 days to respond to the petition. During that period Minnesota Trout Unlimited will be educating members and the public via articles, social media postings and other means.We are asking MDA to develop a regulatory program
for treated seeds to most effectively and efficiently control neonic pollution. MDA has 60 days to respond to the petition. Take action today! We need your support and have developed a letter template to start from to send in support of the petition.

Sign up for our regular action alerts to stay up to date on developments and get involved!

Want to Learn More?

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture released a report in 2020 that shows that neonicotinoid levels routinely exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s chronic aquatic life benchmark (ALB) for harm to aquatic invertebrates. Read the report here.

Read this summary of the Detection Patterns of Neonicotinoid Insecticides in Minnesota Rivers and Streams put out by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture provided information and request to the EPA via a letter that demonstrates support for greater regulation of treated seeds.

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation published this summary of how Insecticide Seed Treatments Threaten Midwestern Waterways.

Trout Unlimited published this article in 2022 about their concern for the impact of neonics on aquatic ecosystems and coldwater fisheries.

 ***Photo credit to Al Simpson, https://simpsonflyfishing.com/***