The Massachusetts legislature failed to pass legislation today that would restrict the use of bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides. H. 4041, An Act to Protect Massachusetts Pollinators, would have restricted the use of neonics to licensed pesticide applicators only.

At a time of ecological crisis, this Farm Bill worsens the disastrous impacts of climate change, collapsing biodiversity and severely degrading soil, water and air.

Today farmworkers, students, public health, beekeeping, environmental, faith-based and consumer groups held a protest at Kroger’s (NYSE: KR) annual shareholder meeting, calling on the company to sign onto the Fair Food Program and commit to eliminate toxic pesticides from its supply chain.

If Kroger is serious about protecting pollinators, people and the planet, it must phase out the use of toxic pesticides on the food it sells and increase its domestic organic offerings.

Advocates argue that while the policy is a good first step - Kroger must do more to phase out pesticides in its supply chain on the food it sells.

The bill is a massive handout to corporate agriculture and factory farms that pollute our air, water and soil.

Given the failure of our federal government to regulate the rampant use of toxic pesticides, we are encouraged by the steps Costco is taking to reduce the use of toxic pesticides in its supply chain and increase organic offerings to protect our environment, public health and pollinators

These dire honeybee numbers add to the consistent pattern of unsustainable bee losses in recent years that threatens our food system, but they are the tip of the iceberg.

The defeat of the regressive and unjust GOP Farm Bill is a resounding victory for public health and the environment.

The EU’s groundbreaking ban on bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides is a huge win for pollinators, people and the planet.