The Protection Plan for Managed Pollinators in Michigan draft release

Michigan has released its draft plan to protect managed pollinators from pesticide threats. This joint effort is designed to provide clear actions that can be taken to reduce pesticide exposure to bees.

Image courtesy of Sarah Scott, MSU.
Image courtesy of Sarah Scott, MSU.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), along with Michigan State University and Michigan Farm Bureau, is releasing its draft Protection Plan for Managed Pollinators in Michigan (referred to as the plan), which aims to increase communication to reduce the risk of pesticides to pollinators across our state. The steering committee is seeking feedback from the public on the proposed draft to produce a document that has the most positive impact and acceptance among Michigan citizens.

The draft plan can be found online at The Protection Plan for Managed Pollinators in Michigan. The document includes voluntary strategies for growers, beekeepers, landowners and pesticide applicators to mitigate the risk of pesticides while still supporting a robust agricultural economy. Michigan’s plan follows the National Strategy to Promote Pollinator Health, which includes the Pollinator Research Action Plan and the Pollinator-Friendly Best Management Practices for Federal Lands.

Our plan follows the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture guidelines for creating a managed pollinator protection plan. Over time, the plan will be reviewed to determine how well it is working to help protect managed pollinators.

The plan is meant to provide a way to mitigate the risk of pesticides to bees and other managed pollinators while supporting the use of crop protection. This will be accomplished by establishing a framework for open communication and coordination between individuals who are applying pesticides and beekeepers that have colonies in areas that could be impacted, and supporting best management practices. The key goals of the document are:

  • Mitigate potential exposure of honey bees to pesticides.
  • Foster positive relationships between beekeepers, growers and applicators.
  • Allow for crop and honey production.
  • Refine public understanding of pollinator health issues, factors affecting pollinators and what can be done to mitigate negative outcomes on pollinator populations.
  • Find ways to minimize risk to pollinators that citizens, businesses, agencies and Michigan residents can follow.

If you would like to provide input and feedback on the plan, please complete the Protection plan for managed pollinators in Michigan feedback survey, or email any comments to MMP3@msu.edu by June 1, 2017. Sign up for the plan mailing list to stay up-to-date on developments or changes to the plan.

For more information on other states’ Managed Pollinator Protection Plans, resources on Michigan's Plan or pollinators in Michigan, visit MSU’s Michigan Pollinator Initiative Managed Pollinator Protection Plan page. The final draft of the plan will be available at MDARD’s Managed Pollinator Protection Plan website.

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