Awareness
News
April 26, 2024
Despite opposition from NHBA, NH beekeepers and the public, HB 1698 moves to the NH Senate for full vote.
America/New_York
Share this news

On April 23, 2024 the NH Senate subcommittee voted to advance HB 1698 to the NH Senate floor for a full vote on May 2, 2023. This vote took place after NHBA, beekeepers, and members of the general public testified and contacted their senators in opposition of the bill. This bill proposes an exemption for the use of drones in the aerial application of pesticides from existing notification procedures. Specifically, it amends RSA 430:34-a by adding a new paragraph that states this section of the law does not apply to the aerial application of pesticides by a person with a valid certificate of registration or permit pursuant to RSA 430:33 when applying pesticides for agricultural purposes using unmanned aircraft, as defined in RSA 422:3, at a height not exceeding 20 feet above ground level.  

The NHBA strongly opposes this bill because beekeepers will be unable to protect their hives from potentially harmful or lethal chemicals without advanced notice. Sequestering or removing hives is all beekeepers can do to protect their colonies and without this notification the consequences could be catastrophic for those exposed.

The NHBA strongly urges all beekeepers and concerned members of the public to contact their NH Senators in opposition to this bill. Give Bees a Chance!

The list of NH Senators can be found here: https://www.citizenscount.org/elected-officials/nh-senate

Information regarding the NHBA's opposition to HB 1698 can be found here: https://www.nhbeekeepers.org/news/new-hampshire-beekeepers-oppose-hb-1698-urges-public-to-act-april-15-2024

Photo Credit: Mary Ellen McKeen, president of the N.H. Beekeepers Association, poses in the State House on Thursday. She testified against a bill that would allow pesticides to be sprayed from drones without notifying neighbors first. Rick Green—The Keene Sentinel

Download File
Share this news
Related News

Awareness

news and updates

June 26, 2024

Call Governor Sununu and Urge him to Veto HB 1698-FN

Time is running out! Demand notification of aerial drone spraying of pesticides.
June 19, 2024

Hangry Bees 2023: Pollen Deprivation Impacts Temperament and Disease Status

This series is presented through Zoom, an online video platform, and through Facebook Live on the Lawrence County Alabama Extension Office Facebook page.
June 16, 2024

How to handle a suspected pesticide exposure in your hive

Obtaining samples ASAP and knowing how to preserve the evidence is key to detecting and proving a pesticide kill but resources are scarce.
May 10, 2024

Tell the Governor To Protect NH Families and Pollinators from Pesticide Exposures—Oppose HB 1698-FN!

Please join us today by calling on New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu to veto House Bill (HB) 1698.
April 28, 2024

Herbicide Use Notification from NH Electrical Co-op

NHE Co-op intends to apply herbicides along various power-line rights-of-way during 2024
April 27, 2024

Beyond Pesticides Creates 30 Second Action Form to Oppose HB 1698

This simple form will find and send your NH Senator your letter in opposition to HB 1698
April 15, 2024

New Hampshire Beekeepers Oppose HB-1698, Urges Public to Act April 15, 2024 

HB-1698 undermines existing safeguards designed to protect both pollinators and public health
July 24, 2023

USDA Offers Disaster Assistance for Producers Facing Inclement Weather

USDA offers bee farmers risk management and disaster assistance.
July 24, 2023

Message from the NH FSA State Executive Director

Beekeepers may be eligible for disaster relief
July 13, 2023

Help the bees by creating a bee watering station

Bees need water to regulate the temperature in the hive and to dilute honey for eating.
June 28, 2023

Our top ten things ANYONE can do to help save the bees

Managed honey bee colonies in New Hampshire face many challenges that affect the ability of a colony of bees to survive and reproduce.
June 27, 2023

European Hornet Moth Spotted in Rye, NH

Sesia apiformis, known as the hornet moth is actually (as you’d guess from the name) a true moth rather than a hornet.
June 22, 2023

The Bee Informed Partnership Releases its 2023 Loss & Management Survey results

United States Honey Bee Colony Losses 2022–23: Preliminary Results from the Bee Informed Partnership
April 25, 2023

World Bee Day May 20, 2023

By observing World Bee Day each year, we can raise awareness on the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy, and on the many challenges they face today.
February 5, 2021

Winter 2021 NHBA Research Notes

Winter 2021 NHBA Research Notes
March 14, 2023

Update on the 2020 Honey Bee Nutrition project

We need everyone and anyone (children too!) who wants to be a citizen scientist to please participate! We will be building a database for anyone to use to determine when to expect plants to bloom, what should be blooming now, etc.