American Bird Conservancy has sent letters to two of the nation’s largest manufacturers of wild bird seeds, Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and Kaytee Products, seeking assurance that the company supply chains remain free of neonicotinoid insecticides, which can be fatally poisonous to birds.
“American Bird Conservancy (ABC) would like to direct your attention to the neonicotinoid coatings that are commonly applied to corn, canola, sunflower, millet, and other types of seeds,” says theletter. “Our recently completed scientific assessment concluded that these insecticides routinely are incorporated into seeds and are lethal to birds. We want to ensure that these insecticidal treatments are never found on the bird seed that your companies sell to consumers for feeding pets and wild birds.”
ABC recently released a 100-page scientific report on the effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on birds, The Impact of the Nation’s Most Widely Used Insecticides on Birds. These chemicals are applied as seed treatments in agricultural and horticultural seed products. For some crops such as corn, close to 100 percent of seed on the market is treated. ABC reviewed 200 studies on neonicotinoids, including industry research obtained through the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has recently offered their suggestion on how to cut an increased deer population in Washington,D.C. – birth control.
Deer populations in Rock Creek Park in D.C. have increased to 3-5 times more than what the National Park Service (NPS) deems sufficient, causing the NPS to take action. Controlled hunting has been successfully used as a means to limit the population – something hunters are willing to do and even to pay for the opportunity. But HSUS sees this as a “wasteful killing program.”
HSUS is pushing the NPS to administer a form of birth control known as porcine zona pellucida (PZP) that causes antibodies to bind to a deer’s eggs to block fertilization. Administering PZP is expected to cost taxpayers $340,000 for just the RockCreekPark alone according to humanewatch.org. HSUS has offered to pay for half of the program, leaving taxpayers “holding the bag” for the rest of the cost.
Hunting has proven to be a successful means of population control, while also providing vital dollars to state wildlife agencies to maintain wildlife populations. HSUS ignores this fact, and instead is asking taxpayers to use their hard earned money to pay for their unproven “birth control agenda.”
In addition, the NPS has set criteria for birth control vaccines to follow in order to be administered, and luckily, PZP does not meet the full criteria.
This is just one case of many where HSUS has pushed for a no-hunting agenda, including recent anti-bear hunting and bear trapping legislation introduced in Maine. HSUS fills the number one spot on U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance’s Dirty Dozen list of anti-hunting organizations.
Think back a moment to some of your favorite summer memories from your childhood. Chances are, many of them involve family vacations and spending time outside with your friends.
So what will your kids remember about this coming summer?
Here’s your chance to create memories that will last your kids a lifetime by taking part in this summer’s 9th Annual Great Backyard Campout.
On June 22, families across the country will spend a night camping out under the stars in their own backyards, neighborhoods and local parks. We hope you will be one of them!
Whether you are a camping pro or new to pitching a tent, we have everything you need to make your campout one to remember—from camp songs to games to recipes to camping tips.
Camping with family, friends, scout troops and classmates is a simple way to get your kids outdoors and connected with the nature all around them. And it’s a guaranteed way to create a night they will remember!
