The proposed bill introduces the Pollinator Protection Act, which aims to establish a comprehensive program to safeguard pollinator species in West Virginia. The Department of Agriculture (DOA) is tasked with developing this program, which will focus on promoting the health of pollinators and supporting the agricultural economy, particularly the apiary industry. To ensure a collaborative approach, the DOA will work with the Division of Forestry and the Division of Natural Resources, and will form a stakeholder group that includes beekeepers, agricultural producers, agribusiness organizations, and conservationists.

The program will include specific strategies to protect pollinators, such as mitigating damage from invasive plant species, encouraging the establishment of pollinator-friendly habitats on private lands, and implementing similar strategies in state parks and forests. Additionally, the program will aim to enhance education and outreach regarding pollinators and will seek to leverage state or federal grants and non-profit resources for its initiatives. Overall, the bill emphasizes the importance of pollinators to the ecosystem and agricultural sectors in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 20-3C-1