Tell Governor Hochul: Toxic neonics are hurting New York

Neonics are responsible for killing the bees and other pollinators we depend on to grow our food.

Governor Hochul must protect the health of New Yorkers and our fragile ecosystems by signing the first-of-its-kind Birds and Bees Protection Act (A7640/S1856A) into law TODAY.

Governor Hochul has the power to protect the health of New Yorkers and our fragile ecosystems by signing the first-of-its-kind Birds and Bees Protection Act (A7640/S1856A) into law TODAY.

Parents with small baby surrounded by flowers and bees. Tell Governor Hochul to protect New Yorkers from toxic neonics.

Ever since neonics were brought to market thirty years ago, more and more research keeps coming to the same conclusion: Neonics are responsible for killing the bees and other pollinators we depend on to grow our food.

It’s not just bees suffering. Research shows that people exposed to these toxic chemicals can experience muscle tremors, memory loss, and elevated risk of birth defects of the heart and brain. Exposure is particularly devastating for pregnant women and children – which is concerning because a CDC study released last year found neonics in over 95% of pregnant women tested, some of whom live in New York.

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Your Message

Subject Protect New Yorkers’ health: Sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act

Dear Governor Hochul,

Message Body

As a New York resident, I urge you to take action to protect our state against toxic neonic insecticides by signing the Birds and Bees Protection Act (A7640/S1856A). 
 
Neonics are one of the most widely used insecticides in New York — with federal and state testing showing neonics contaminate drinking water sources all over the state, including roughly 30% of Long Island groundwater samples. Furthermore, a recent study of pregnant women in New York and several other states found over 95% of those tested had neonics in their bodies.
 
That’s a huge problem because exposure to these toxic chemicals is linked to concerning health issues in people, including: 
-Malformation of the developing heart and brain
-Reduced cognitive ability and autism-like symptoms 
-Memory loss and finger tremors 
-Decreased testosterone, which could interfere with growth, development, and reproductive health 
 
While all New Yorkers are at risk, these health threats are most acute for children and pregnant women. 
 
The continued use of neonics is even more baffling considering a report from Cornell University revealed that neonic-treated corn and soybean seeds don’t even improve profits for farmers, but they remain the single largest use of neonics in the state. There’s no need to continue putting the health of New Yorkers on the line.  
 
Signing the Birds and Bees Protection Act into law will make New York THE leading state in addressing a regulatory loophole that has allowed the largest neonic uses to go unchecked with devastating consequences for New York’s ecosystems and public health. 
 
Thank you.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]

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