Without complete records verifying that plant treatment occurred with a systemic insecticide that did not have bee- or pollinator-protective label language noted in the law, it may be difficult to prove that concentrations of the insecticide in plant tissue originated from specific products. It is the responsibility of the retailer to verify that any systemic insecticide products used did not have bee- or pollinator-protective language on the product label. Additionally, note there is no prohibition on selling plants treated with systemic insecticides – with or without bee- or pollinator-protective language on the product label – as long as they are not advertised as beneficial to pollinators.
Without complete records verifying that plant treatment occurred with a systemic insecticide that did not have bee- or pollinator-protective label language noted in the law, it may be difficult to prove that concentrations of the insecticide in plant tissue originated from specific products. It is the responsibility of the retailer to verify that any systemic insecticide products used did not have bee- or pollinator-protective language on the product label. Additionally, note there is no prohibition on selling plants treated with systemic insecticides – with or without bee- or pollinator-protective language on the product label – as long as they are not advertised as beneficial to pollinators.
Those who source or sell plants can have plant flowers tested at laboratories providing such services. Analytical results may be requested and reviewed at the point of sale in Minnesota as part of compliance assistance or an investigation. The law specifies that only the flowers of plants are subject to the law’s provisions. In order to issue a defensible numerical value, a laboratory should report the “Limit of Quantification” for the method, along with the analytical results. In addition, the MDA may initiate sampling of plant flowers offered for sale and labeled as beneficial to pollinators to determine if there are systemic insecticide concentrations of concern.
Those who source or sell plants can have plant flowers tested at laboratories providing such services. Analytical results may be requested and reviewed at the point of sale in Minnesota as part of compliance assistance or an investigation. The law specifies that only the flowers of plants are subject to the law’s provisions. In order to issue a defensible numerical value, a laboratory should report the “Limit of Quantification” for the method, along with the analytical results. In addition, the MDA may initiate sampling of plant flowers offered for sale and labeled as beneficial to pollinators to determine if there are systemic insecticide concentrations of concern.
The MDA will bear the cost for all samples collected by the MDA.
The MDA will bear the cost for all samples collected by the MDA.
If you can verify through records presented to the MDA that neither your practices nor those of your sources resulted in treatment of plant material with systemic insecticides having the indicated label language, the MDA will consider the records in determining compliance with the law in the event that concentrations exceed levels of concern. Systemic insecticide contamination in plant material from sources other than treatment could include contaminated soil, irrigation water, and application equipment, or application drift from products applied to other plants. Plants (and their bedding material, containers, and treatment equipment) destined for labeling as attractive or beneficial to pollinators should be isolated during production and treatment from contamination from systemic insecticides that carry the indicated label language.
If you can verify through records presented to the MDA that neither your practices nor those of your sources resulted in treatment of plant material with systemic insecticides having the indicated label language, the MDA will consider the records in determining compliance with the law in the event that concentrations exceed levels of concern. Systemic insecticide contamination in plant material from sources other than treatment could include contaminated soil, irrigation water, and application equipment, or application drift from products applied to other plants. Plants (and their bedding material, containers, and treatment equipment) destined for labeling as attractive or beneficial to pollinators should be isolated during production and treatment from contamination from systemic insecticides that carry the indicated label language.
A nursery that advertises plants as beneficial (including the term attracts) to pollinators will be expected to provide documentation on all insecticide products used in the production of those plants. In addition, the MDA may initiate sampling of the plant to determine if there are detectable levels of the specified systemic insecticides.
A nursery that advertises plants as beneficial (including the term attracts) to pollinators will be expected to provide documentation on all insecticide products used in the production of those plants. In addition, the MDA may initiate sampling of the plant to determine if there are detectable levels of the specified systemic insecticides.
