As the Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance (VDPA) looks back on 2024 and into 2025, members remained concerned that Vermont legislators continue to move away from the importance of being the proud dairy state we once were. Vermont dairy producers are required to jump through many “hoops” just to comply with the Required Agricultural Practices (RAP). Farmers do this willingly, even with the huge cost, because the environment, animal welfare, and open land are integral to farming and leaving a legacy for the next generation is a big priority.
This year, legislators added additional regulations banning treated seeds by passing H.706. To summarize the new law; beginning July 1, 2029, bans the use of neonicotinoid treated pesticides for the following uses: outdoor application of neonicotinoid pesticides to any crop during bloom; outdoor application of neonicotinoid pesticides to soybeans or any crop in the cereal grains crop group; outdoor application of neonicotinoid pesticides to crops in the leafy vegetables, brassica, bulb vegetables, and similar crop groups; and the application of neonicotinoid pesticides to ornamental plants.
Further, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets (AAFM) may issue an exemption order on a farm by farm basis, to suspend a prohibition for a period of not more than one year if; a valid environmental emergency or agricultural emergency, as those terms are defined by the act, exists; the pesticide would be effective in addressing the environmental emergency or the agricultural emergency; and no other, less harmful pesticide or pest management practice would be effective in addressing the environmental emergency or the agricultural emergency.
The language enacted in Vermont closely mirrors New York language, therefore, we worked to include a contingent repeal on the prohibition on the use of neonicotinoid treated seeds or on the use of neonicotinoid pesticides if similar provisions in New York are repealed. Likewise, the effective dates provide that the prohibitions on the use of neonicotinoid treated seeds or on the use of neonicotinoid pesticides will not go into effect if similar provisions in New York are not in effect and would only go into effect when the New York provisions become effective. Although our language is similar to New York’s language, there are some unknowns for how New York will handle their exemption process.
Looking forward to 2025, VDPA will work closely with industry partners and legislative champions to amend this very onerous law. Along with the neonic ban, the legislators also passed a bill in May that commissions a work group to consider establishing a good cause standard for termination of employment, require employers to provide severance pay to terminated employees, and permit employees or representative organizations to bring an enforcement action on behalf of the State for violations of the good cause termination requirement. This could also include prohibiting employers from taking adverse employment actions against an employee related to exercising free speech rights.
Vermont is a small State, and farms are disappearing every month. We will be challenged again with educating a new group of legislators on the dairy sector. We anticipate spending a great deal of time on this issue as well as Right to Repair, Worker Housing, Micro-plastics & PFAS, Pesticides, and the economic pressures balanced with the State Budget.