Partners in Pollinator Protection

On this page:

• Working with federal partners
• Working with state and other partners
• Working with international partners

Working with Federal Partners

We are working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, agricultural equipment manufacturers, and the pesticide and seed industry to develop and apply technologies to reduce exposure to dust from pesticide-treated seed during planting activities.

USDA is leading the federal government's effort to examine honey bee health. We are part of this effort, focusing on aspects related to pesticides.

Concerns about commercial honey bee populations have refocused efforts to identify and use best management practices to minimize unintended contact between bees and pesticides. This is particularly challenging given the critical role bees play in pollinating agricultural crops as well as the important role insecticides play in controlling pests in agriculture. The EPA and USDA are leading collaborative efforts with a wide range of stakeholders to keep bees safe from pesticides.

See the Colony Collapse Disorder Action Plan (PDF)(28 pp, 2 MB, about PDF) for more information.

We are working with our federal partners and other stakeholders through a workgroup under our advisory group, the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee. The workgroup focuses on pollinator protection related to the following themes:

• Initial, science-based risk management approaches, including appropriate labeling restrictions and training.
• Development of information on state approaches and authorities.
• Transfer of lessons learned by various stakeholders to improve existing management practices.
• Continuing international communication.
• Other issues the Agency wishes to bring to the workgroup’s attention.

More on the PPDC Pollinator Protection Workgroup is available in the archives. Search EPA Archive

Working with State and Other Partners

EPA maintains a Memorandum of Understanding with Pollinator Partnership, an organization dedicated to improving the health and survival of all pollinator species. EPA also collaborates with state agencies and the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign, coordinated by Pollinator Partnership, to advance education and training modules in pesticide applicator certification courses. Several states have implemented best management practices, and more are underway. 

Working with International Partners 

• Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's Pesticide Effects on Insect Pollinators working group. See Managing Risk to Insect Pollinators.
• International Commission on Plant Pollinator Relationships.
• European Food Safety Authority See Bee Health.
• Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency -- developing the risk assessment process, mitigation approaches and evaluating the neonicotinoids.