Vermont Voters Support A Phase Out Of Neonic Pesticides
By Kevin Hanley
Neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics) are extremely toxic to insects, and often cited as one of the major threats to bees. In Vermont alone, 55 of the state’s 350 species of wild bees are in urgent need of conservation action. From 2016-2022, Vermont beekeepers on average lost 53% of their honey bee hives every year.
In light of recent state legislation in New York prohibiting the use of certain neonics to protect pollinators, birds, and other wildlife, Data for Progress and the Vermont Public Interest Research and Education Fund (VPIREF) conducted research into Vermont voters' attitudes toward similar legislation, which would phase out nearly all neonic pesticides in Vermont, with exemptions available in case of emergency.
Likely voters overwhelmingly view pollinator species like bees, butterflies, moths, and bats as very important to Vermont's agriculture (85%).
This holds true across partisanship, with 86% of both Democrats and Independents, as well as 80% of Republicans, saying pollinator species are very important.
When asked about the connection between Vermont’s agriculture and pollinators, a majority of voters (61%) report being very concerned about the disappearance of pollinator species.
While Democrats and Independents in the state express similar levels of concern (71% and 70%, respectively), there is considerable dropoff in the intensity of concern for Republicans: Just 33% report being very concerned about the disappearance of pollinator species, while 47% say they are somewhat concerned.
Next, respondents were given more information about how neonic pesticides can affect pollinator species and were asked about their support for a phase out of nearly all neonic pesticides in Vermont, with exemptions available in case of emergency.
Overall, 83% of likely voters support a phase out of nearly all neonic pesticides, with exemptions in case of emergency. Democrats are the strongest supporters, with 64% strongly supporting, while Independents are also notable supporters, with 53% strongly supporting a phase out.
Similar to the previous question on concern, while still supportive overall, Republicans in Vermont are less intensely supportive, with just 26% in strong support of a phase out. Women voters (61% strongly support), college-educated voters (58% strongly support), and voters 45 and older (51% strongly support) are also strong supporters of a phase out of neonic pesticides in Vermont.
Conclusion
Vermont voters view pollinator species as very important to the state’s agriculture and are concerned about the disappearance of such species. These sentiments translate into strong support for a phaseout of nearly all neonic pesticides in Vermont, and this research reveals the uncontroversial nature of such legislation.
Kevin Hanley (@kebhanley) is a senior analyst at Data for Progress.
Survey Methodology
From March 1 to 6, 2024, Data for Progress and the Vermont Public Interest Research and Education Fund (VPIREF) conducted a survey of 470 likely voters in Vermont using SMS and web panel respondents. The sample was weighted to be representative of likely voters by age, gender, education, race, geography, and voting history. The survey was conducted in English. The margin of error is ±5 percentage points.