According to a statement regarding yesterday’s White House release of a national strategy to promote pollinator health, the American Seed Trade Association reports that it stands ready to assist in taking steps to achieve pollinator health.
“The American Seed Trade Association is heartened by the White House’s proactive approach to assisting pollinators that are challenged by many factors impacting their health,” says Andy LaVigne, ASTA president and CEO. “Bees are vital in seed and agriculture production, as well as general ecosystem health, and ensuring their well-being is a priority.
“We are gratified that the strategy recognizes the important work ASTA and CropLife America have done to increase education and outreach to the agriculture community on best management practices for treated seed through the Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship. While the success of the strategy is important to ASTA, we must ensure science continues to play a primary role in any actions taken.”
However, LaVigne adds that the association is concerned that the strategy laid out by the U.S. Department of Interior does not fully take into account the expertise and capacity of the native seed industry to provide pollinator friendly native seeds.
“Collaboration between the Department of Interior, its agencies and seed suppliers should be initiated as soon as possible to find solutions to build and sustain populations of pollinators on federal lands,” LaVigne says.
