• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Billionaire Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong says most charities are 'net negative'—and that he has no plans to make his own foundation

2

As the U.S. Treasury shells out $95 billion a month in interest to cover deficits, Trump pitches a $1.3 trillion payout to voters if Republicans win the midterms

3

Scott Bessent dared the $32 trillion bond market with 'I am the house now' statement. It didn’t listen

1

Billionaire Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong says most charities are 'net negative'—and that he has no plans to make his own foundation

2

As the U.S. Treasury shells out $95 billion a month in interest to cover deficits, Trump pitches a $1.3 trillion payout to voters if Republicans win the midterms

3

Scott Bessent dared the $32 trillion bond market with 'I am the house now' statement. It didn’t listen
Healthbees

How Maryland Lawmakers Are Trying to Save Bees

By
John Kell
John Kell
Contributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
John Kell
John Kell
Contributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 25, 2016, 1:14 PM ET
518638797
Bees and honeycombsKerstin Klaassen—Getty Images
Google source logo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Legislation that is being crafted in Maryland could make the state the first in the nation to ban the sale of certain insecticides in an effort to save the declining honey bee population.

Separate bills have cleared the Maryland State Senate and Maryland House of Delegates and because they are similar enough, they are expected to be combined into a single piece of legislation for Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s consideration to sign into law, the Portland Press Herald reported.

The bill would specifically ban neonicotinoids, which are a class of pesticides that are a purported major contributing factor to population declines for bees. Honey bees are an important component in U.S. agriculture, as about a third of our diet is directly or indirectly tied to that species.

But insecticides are one cause that some say has attributed to declining hives and honey production. The Department of Agriculture reported that honey production tumbled 12% in 2015, with honey-harvesting colonies dropping 3%. Maryland lost more than 60% of its hives last year, said the Portland Press Herald.

Other states are considering similar action. And on the federal level, Representatives John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) last year reintroduced the Saving America’s Pollinators Act of 2015, which would require the suspension of some insecticides until the Environmental Protection Agency can review if they are harmful to bees and other pollinators.

“The EPA plans to wait until 2018 before reviewing the registration of neonicotinoids. But America’s bees cannot wait three more years,” said Conyers in a statement when he talked up that act. That bill still hasn’t won approval in either the Senate nor the House of Representatives.

About the Author
By John KellContributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence

John Kell is a contributing writer for Fortune and author of Fortune’s CIO Intelligence newsletter.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Health


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Latest in Health


    Most Popular

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.