Pollinator health continues to be a priority issue for our industry. While governments and scientists agree bee health is a complex and long-standing concern, news stories and activism around bee health have raised questions about the impact pesticides, specifically neonicotinoids, may have on bees. We've been engaged in conversations concerning pollinators, and you can join in and show your commitment to bee health by having positive conversations with your customers and communities as well.
We launched our new Bee Responsible campaign during National Pollinator Week last month in an effort to make pollinator health information easily available to consumers, retailers and professionals like yourself. You can find Bee Responsible talking points and new resources at our Debug the Myths ambassador site, www.debugthemyths.com/ambassadors. As part of our positive media outreach, we published a press release and mat release focusing on creating bee-friendly habitats, and targeted the Albany, NY; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN; Sacramento, CA; Salem and Portland, OR; and Trenton, NJ, markets along with industry trade media. Even though National Pollinator Week has passed, discussions regarding pollinators are ongoing. You can do your part for pollinator health by always reading label instructions when using pesticide products and by checking out our resources so you can talk confidently and positively about the work you do with these products.
We worked on multiple neonicotinoid-restricting bills in several states this session, and we successfully stopped bills in Alaska, Maine, Maryland and Vermont. In Oregon, a bill was amended to change the neonicotinoid-restricting language to focus instead on forming a Pollinator Health Task Force in the state.
Since April, our work with White House staff continues as we focus on finding new and additive solutions to pollinator health. We submitted materials from our members and allies, including habitat and forage improvement projects, and Varroa mites and disease prevention projects. We provided feedback to questions from White House staff on several occasions. During National Pollinator Week President Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum directing government entities to develop a strategy promoting pollinator health. This Memorandum includes many of the areas we suggested the White House direct its focus, including more research to better understand pollinator losses, developing a public education plan, and seeking ways to increase and improve pollinator habitats.
If you would like to join the conversation about pollinator health, join our grassroots network at www.pestfacts.org/grassroots. By joining our network, you\'ll be kept up to date with our activity, receive alerts whenever an issue pops up in your area and find ways you can get engaged with us.
