The Oregon Department of Agriculture has suspended the license of the company responsible for more than 1,000 bee deaths earlier this week in Eugene. Glass Tree Care and Spray Service applied pesticides at an apartment complex in North Eugene on 17 linden trees, the same types of trees involved in thousands of bee deaths last year in Oregon. Bruce Pokarney is the Communication Director for the ODA. He says before the company can resume applying pesticides they must adhere to certain conditions.
Pokarney: "Which include a re-take and passage of a required examination for the applicator, the one who sprayed the product on this property. The company must also provide a written plan on steps that they'll take to keep this from recurring. And then the company must take steps to mitigate further harm in this particular incident and in that regards, Glass has already agreed with us to cover the 17 linden trees that are at the apartment complex to prevent further exposure to pollinators."
Pokarney says its likely more enforcement action will take place against Glass Tree Care. Last year the ODA adopted a required label statement on certain pesticide products found to be harmful to bees.
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