Florida Bee Protection

Jeanette Klopchin, M.S.

Pollinator Protection Specialist

Bureau of Scientific Evaluation and Technical Assistance

Division of Agricultural Environmental Services

Florida’s Managed Pollinator

Protection Plan

A way to mitigate the risk of pesticides to bees and

other managed pollinators, while supporting usage of

pesticides; developed through open communication

and coordination among key stakeholders, including

beekeepers, growers, pesticide applicators, and

landowners.

National Action for Pollinator Protection

Presidential Memorandum – June,

2014

Appointed the Pollinator Health

Task Force chaired by USDA and

EPA

tasked with developing a ‘National

Pollinator Health Strategy’

Pollinator Research Action Plan

Public Education Plan

Increasing and Improving

Pollinator Habitat

National Progress

White House ‘National Strategy to Promote the Health

of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators’– May 19 2015

‘Protecting Pollinators from Exposure to Pesticides’

“Mitigating the effects of pesticides on

bees is a high priority for the federal

government, as both bee pollination

and insect control are essential to the

success of agriculture”

EPA actions

‘Proposal to Mitigate Exposure to Bees from Acutely

Toxic Pesticide Products’ – May 28 2015

restrictions for pesticide applications to ‘blooming crops

where managed bees are present under contract pollination

services’

Managed Pollinator Protection Plans (MP3’s)

address all other scenarios: e.g. foraging bees in/nearby an

application site, non-contract situations, protections afforded to

native bee species, etc.

Managed Pollinator Protection Plan

Development

AAPCO Pollinator Committee

identified organizations by state who would lead the MP3

development process

SFIREG draft guidance document

flexibility for states

scope, species, pesticide use category, type of beekeeping, etc.

Pollinator Protection Specialist position

Apiary Inspection, Ag. Env. Services and Inspection

engage with all stakeholders

close relationship with UF/IFAS Extension

identify needs to be addressed by the MP3

The Citrus Case in Florida

Stimulus

pesticide use in

citrus to control

insects that transmit

citrus greening

disease and its affect

on honey bees and

beekeepers

Response

stakeholder meetings and

Public workshops

development of

recommendations to protect

both citrus and bees

participants – growers,

beekeepers, applicators,

extension, regulators,

registrants, others.

support from FDACS

Commissioner Putnam

Citrus Outcomes

Needs

communication between grove owners and beekeepers

more information

minimize risk of pesticide applications to bees

ability to deal with unwanted or uninvited hives

Actions

www.floridabeeprotection.org

Apiary/Citrus Mapping link

collaborations with IFAS

EDIS doc and In-service

training

pesticide interpretation and

guidance for growers,

applicators

apiary rule change: unwanted

hives

Florida MP3 – Communication

method for growers/applicators to locate and contact

each other

Citrus-Apiary mapping tool

voluntary

apiary locations

CHMA’s

Contact information

alternative bee forage areas and type

Expansion to other crops and use areas

Florida MP3 – Minimize Risk

guidelines - how to minimize the risk of pesticides to bees

Communication points

pest control and application details

hive placement details

formalized agreements

tailored for target audience

growers

by crop or crop type

beekeepers

hobbyist vs. commercial

applicators

agricultural vs. non-ag.

Florida MP3 – Label Guidance

Interpretative guidance for pesticide products that have

labels that include bee statements label interpretations available online for citrus products

labels in development for products used blueberry & cucurbit production

as EPA label language changes, FDACS will provide interpretations as

appropriate

other use categories, perhaps in ornamental or structural applications may

benefit from this type of guidance

www.FloridaBeeProtection.org

information for beekeepers

information for growers

information on crop issues – e.g. citrus greening

label interpretation documents

downloadable outreach information

state bee removal and relocation list

Continuing Progress

outreach within the FDACS

beekeepers and bee organizations

growers and grower organizations

applicator and applicator organizations

multiple-stakeholder meetings

needs assessment surveys – baseline data beekeepers, growers, and applicators

basic demographics and statistics

current knowledge, perceptions, behavior, communications and needs

Continuing Progress MP3 expansion

blueberries, cucurbits

protecting pollinators in ornamental landscapes

IPM support and collaboration

collaborative training and education

supporting pollinator forage & habitat

collaborative projects (ICP and Operation Pollinator)

“Native From Florida” campaign

land registry for lands to host apiaries

measuring success

baseline data collection

monitoring industry health

pesticide residue studies (in pollen)

cooperative research on honey bee health

Thank You! www.FloridaBeeProtection.org

Jeanette.Klopchin@FreshFromFlorida.com

(850) 459-5714 mobile

(386) 418-5515 office