                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

VIRGINIA POLLINATOR PROTECTION STRATEGY (§ 3.2-108.1)

A. The Department shall develop and maintain a Virginia Pollinator Protection
Strategy (the Strategy) to (i) promote the health of and mitigate the risks to
all pollinator species and (ii) ensure a robust agriculture economy and apiary
industry for honeybees and other managed pollinators.

B. In developing the Strategy, the Department shall seek the assistance of the
Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Wildlife Resources,
and the Department of Environmental Quality and shall establish a stakeholder
group composed of representatives of affected groups, including beekeepers,
agricultural producers, commercial pesticide applicators, private pesticide
applicators, pesticide manufacturers, retailers, lawn and turf service
providers, agribusiness and farmer organizations, conservation interests,
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University,
and the Virginia Cooperative Extension.

C. The Strategy shall include a plan for the protection of managed pollinators
that provides voluntary best management practices for pesticide users,
beekeepers, and landowners and agricultural producers. The protection plan shall
support:

   1. Communication between beekeepers and applicators;

   2. Reduction of the risk to pollinators from pesticides;

   3. Increases in pollinator habitat;

   4. Maintenance of existing compliance with state pesticide use requirements;

   5. Identification of needs for further research to promote robust agriculture
   and apiary industries; and

   6. Identification of additional opportunities for education and outreach on
   pollinators.

HISTORY: 2016, c. 11; 2020, c. 958.