How the new neonic regulations impact your operations
There are new neonicotinoid regulations effective starting Jan 1, 2024 to protect pollinators. Neonicotinoids are a class of pesticide that are chemically similar to nicotine and that affect insect central nervous systems, resulting in paralysis and death. They are known to negatively impact pollinators, including bees. Neonicotinoid pesticide products include the active ingredients clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam. The new regulations affect the applications of these pesticides on some crops. Because pesticide labels will not be updated, it is critical that anyone using these products is aware of the regulations.
For crops that are harvested after bloom (e.g. berries, citrus, cucurbits, oilseed crops, pome fruits, stone fruits, tree nuts), neonic use is prohibited during bloom. In addition, there are restrictions that apply if multiple active ingredients are used OR if both soil and foliar applications are used during the growing season. These restrictions are concerned with the application amounts of the active ingredient and vary by crop type. There are also additional restrictions if managed pollinators are being used. Because there are additional restrictions for certain crops, the best way to understand how your crop will be influenced is to examine the regulations for each crop at this site, which has crop-specific factsheets: https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/enforce/neonicotinoid/neonicotinoid_regulations.htm
There is another category of crop, those for which DPR determined that neonic applications might impact pollinators. This crop category includes avocados, figs, coffee, peanuts, and dates. For these crops, neonic use is prohibited during bloom. In addition, only one neonic active ingredient is permitted during the growing season, and one application method (foliar or soil). Neonic use is also prohibited on these crops when managed pollinators are used during the growing season.
Let's talk about which crops are NOT impacted. Those crops that are harvested before bloom, such as herbs, leafy greens, and bulbs (e.g. garlic) are not subject to the new regulations, and growers can still apply neonics according to the current label. Crops that are grown in enclosed spaces (e.g. greenhouses) or under insect structures (e.g. netted blueberries) are exempt from the new regulations.
There is another scenario that is exempt from the regulations -- any applications to crops to control a quarantine pest. This means that any application to control a quarantine-listed fruit fly or Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) are exempt from regulations. Let's talk about what this means for a lemon grower in Ventura County. Under the new regulations, they should not apply any neonics while the crop is in bloom, even if only a few flowers are open. This means no neonic applications for much of the year. However, a grower can apply neonics to their lemon bloom AT ANY TIME, including during bloom, if ACP is the listed targeted pest. To achieve this exemption, the grower must obtain a written recommendation from a licensed PCA for the ACP application, and they must keep this recommendation for two years.
If you have questions about the new regulations, feel free to contact me at UCCE Ventura County at hcohen@ucanr.edu.
