[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 107 (Friday, June 29, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         INTRODUCTION OF THE POLLINATOR HABITAT PROTECTION ACT

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 28, 2007

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker. today I am introducing, along with my 
colleagues, Alcee Hastings and Randy Kuhl, the Pollinator Habitat 
Protection Act. This legislation amends the Department of Agriculture's 
conservation programs to put a greater emphasis on increasing habitat 
and establishing cropping and integrated pest management practices to 
protect native and managed pollinators.
  The bill also states that the Secretary of Agriculture should 
designate pollinator protection as a ``national priority resource 
concern'' for the conservation programs administered by the Department.
  As Congress prepares to reauthorize our national agricultural 
policies, raising awareness and placing a greater emphasis on 
pollinators and their habitat could not come at a more important time--
particularly as research and newspaper headlines continue to highlight 
the collapse of bee colonies and general population declines and 
threats to pollinators.
  The risks to our food supply and ecosystems from which pollinators 
are declining cannot be underestimated. Pollinators are integral to the 
very survival of an astounding number and variety of plant life that 
sustains us. The numbers tell the story--nearly 75 percent of the 
world's flowering plants, more than two-thirds of the world's crop 
species, and one out of every three mouthfuls of food have a direct 
connection to pollinators. Disruptions of localized pollinating systems 
and declines of certain species of pollinators have been reported on 
every continent except Antarctica.
  Populations of a variety of pollinator species have been declining in 
recent years, due to a loss of habitat, improper use of pesticides and 
herbicides, and replacement of native plant species with non-native or 
engineered plants. The introduction of non-native, invasive species--
either by accident or through farming practices--has significantly 
contributed to this problem.
  I introduce this bill as one important step to address these problems 
by recognizing the contributions that pollinators make to our 
agricultural production and our food supply. Another step is the 
legislation of my colleague Alcee Hastings, H.R. 1709, which I support 
and which authorizes research funding to strengthen native bee, as well 
as honey bee, populations. I look forward to working with the 
Agriculture Committee and the House to ensure pollinators and their 
habitats receive further attention and protection as we reauthorize the 
Farm Bill in the coming weeks.

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