March 9th, 2016 by WCBC Radio
A measure supporters say would be the first in the country to help protect bees by taking certain pesticides off of store shelves has been approved by the Maryland Senate.
Senators voted 32-14 Wednesday for the Pollinator Protection Act. It now goes to the House.
The measure would limit pesticides containing neonicotinoids to certified applicators, farmers and veterinarians. Consumers would not be about to buy them in stores in 2018.
The bill had a provision requiring plants, seeds or nursery stock treated with the pesticide to include an informational label, but it was removed.
Opponents called for more study, but supporters say Maryland can't wait. Beekeepers lost 61 percent of their hives last year, about twice the national average. Maryland has about 900 beekeepers managing about 9,000 hives.
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