Taking the side of environmental groups and commercial beekeepers, a California judge earlier this month said he would issue a statewide order banning a pesticide called sulfoxaflor. Part of the class of neuro-active insecticides called neonicotinoids, sulfoxaflor protects crops from insects, but scientists say it is toxic to bees. A scientific study from University of Maryland and Auburn University found that the number of honeybee colonies in the U.S. fell by 45% from April 2020 to April 2021. We’ll talk about the ban and the worrying decline of pollinators.
Judge to Halt Use of Pesticide That Harms Honeybees
![](https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/43/2021/12/GettyImages-1318358136-1-800x450.jpg)
(Justin Sullivan via Getty Images)
Guests:
Greg Loarie, senior attorney, Earthjustice<br />
Susan Kegley, CEO, Pesticide Research Institute, Inc.; owner, Bees N Blooms<br />
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