Plan bee: Minnesota sets broad limits on chemicals blamed for bee decline

But farmers are concerned they will not be able to protect crops from insects if they cannot use neonicotinoidsMinnesota's governor on Friday ordered the broadest restrictions yet in a US state on the use of agricultural pesticides that have been blamed for hurting bees, fuelling concerns that farmers there will not be able to protect crops from insects. Governor Mark Dayton issued an executive order that requires farmers to verify they face "an imminent threat of significant crop loss" before using the chemicals, called neonicotinoids. Continue reading...