Statement From Senator George Borrello on Governor Hochul’s Signing of 'Birds and Bees' Measure

 ALBANY – In response to Governor Hochul’s signing of the Birds and Bees Protection Act (S.1856/A.3226), Senator George Borrello, Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement:    

“In signing the ‘Birds and Bees’ Act, Governor Hochul has caved, once again, to the radical special interests that currently dominate Albany and dealt another blow to struggling New York farmers. This is a decision that has been made without key stakeholders in the conversation and one where a political agenda has come before facts. Both scenarios have become all too common in recent years. 

The seed treatment technology that has been senselessly banned under this new law helped farmers optimize crop yield and quality and allowed them to greatly reduce the large-scale spraying of older, more toxic and environmentally harmful pesticides. Today’s decision turns back the clock on that progress. 

Agriculture is one of New York’s most vital industries, but it is steadily being harmed by politically-driven policies coming out of Albany. As we lose more small family farms to the state’s unsustainable requirements, New Yorkers’ fresh, local food options will shrink and be replaced with lower quality products imported from other states and countries who aren’t constrained by extreme policies. Ultimately, it will be New Yorkers who pay the steepest price for this misguided decision and all the others that are making farming a financially impossible livelihood in this state.”