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JAMESTOWN, NY (WNY News Now) – A controversial bill has State officials divided as scientific testing results from Cornell have not been received yet.
The Birds and Bees act, if signed, will restrict neonicotinoid-coated seeds from use. These seeds are covered in pesticides, with the goal of eliminating spraying fields of crops with pesticides. However, the science behind these seeds is still under investigation.
“The reality is, it’s really about restricting seeds that, we have seeds that are micro coated with pesticides. This is a technology that’s been around for 20 years and it replaces the idea of just soaking the crops with pesticides,” said Senator George Borrello. “It’s much better, more efficient, and certainly a better environmental solution.”
The Senator is calling out his colleagues for supporting the act.
“Some of my colleagues based in New York City feel they know better and they believe that these seeds should be eliminated because they claim that it somehow has a negative impact on pollinators, birds and bees,” Senator Borrello said. “My colleagues in New York State might seem well-meaning, but they are just bowing to the radical special interests that have no idea and no science to back it up so we’re going to continue to pound the table on this, myself and Assemblyman Goodell have been very vocal and we’re urging the Governor not to sign.”
Senator Borrello has been debating this bill for some time now.
“There’s no science to support that what-so-ever. They made a lot of claims that are just not true. I debated this bill, I think this is the third year in a row where I debated Senator Brad Hoylman of Manhattan on the Birds and the Bees bill, as they call it, and he cited a bunch of studies that were just a bunch of Google searches that weren’t really a study. The real study is actually being conducted right now by Cornell,” Borrello said.
While the study at Cornell has not yet completed, the Senator believes that the results will be favorable.
“Despite the fact that we don’t have the results of the study yet and that every indication is that it will come out in favor or what they call ‘Neonic seed’, they passed this bill in both houses so we’re urging the Governor not to sign this bill, it would be incredibly damaging,” said Borrello.
In the end, Borrello is urging Governor Hochul to not sign this bill.
“If this bill is signed by the Governor, there is just no manufacturer that is going to tailor-make non coated seeds just for the farmers in New York State,” Borrello said.
The Senator pledges to continue to fight for the rights of farmers in New York State.
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