Breaking the cycle: Reforming pesticide regulation to protect pollinators

Over decades, pesticide regulations have cycled between approval and implementation, followed by the discovery of negative effects on non-target organisms that result in new regulations, pesticides, and harmful effects. This relentless pattern undermines the capacity to protect the environment from pesticide hazards and frustrates end users that need pest management tools. Wild pollinating insects are in decline, and managed pollinators such as honey bees are experiencing excessive losses, threatening sustainable food security and ecosystem function. An increasing number of studies demonstrate negative effects of field-realistic exposure to pesticides on pollinator health and fitness, which contribute to pollinator declines. Current pesticide approval processes, while superior to past practices, clearly continue to fail to protect pollinator health. Here, we provide a conceptual framework to reform cyclical pesticide approval processes and better protect pollinators.