WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Jeff Merkely’s (D-Ore.) pollinator-friendly plant labeling bill will give consumers a reliable way to ensure they are helping butterflies and many other pollinators, not inadvertently hurting them. The program also rewards nurseries and other producers of legitimate pollinator-friendly plants with certification eligibility from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“We’re seeing an increasing trend of consumers choosing native, pollinator-friendly plants in their gardens and communities. But for these same consumers it can be hard to discern plants that are truly beneficial for pollinators from those that are potentially harmful,” said Dr. Rebeca Quiñonez-Piñón, chief monarch recovery strategist for the National Wildlife Federation. “This legislation will give consumers the confidence to know their conservation efforts are having the positive impact they intend and rewards producers who are prioritizing the sale of native, pesticide-free plants. We appreciate Senator Merkley’s commendable leadership that sets a precedent for much needed pollinator conservation policy.”

Under the pollinator-friendly plant labeling program, plants must be native to the United States and must not have been grown using pesticides or substances that are not approved for use in organically grown products.

Once certified, producers may sell and label approved plants as endorsed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.