Settlement Requires Minnesota Agriculture Agency to Account for Impacts of Toxic Neonic Seed Treatments

MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) and NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) have reached a proposed settlement in their lawsuit against the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) over the agency’s inadequate regulation of toxic neonicotinoid pesticide-coated crop seeds. These seeds are the leading source of neonic contamination that is driving pollinator losses and contributing to declines in birds and other wildlife and threatening children’s health. The stipulation creates accountability and oversight over regulatory decisions that affect the health of Minnesotans and the state’s natural resources. 

Under the settlement, MDA must issue an order by March 1, 2027, determining whether its current pesticide regulations adequately protect Minnesota’s water, wildlife, and other natural resources from the harms caused by pesticide-coated seeds in accordance with the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act (MERA). That decision will then be subject to review in Minnesota state court, thus establishing a clear, enforceable framework for accountability in which MCEA and NRDC may challenge the substance of MDA’s determination if the agency again fails to meet its legal obligations. 

“This settlement brings us a step closer to protecting our state from neonics, which we know are among the most pervasive ecological and public health threats Minnesotans face today,” said Abigail Hencheck, a staff attorney at Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA). “We’re hopeful MDA will take this time to review its current regulations and then acknowledge what the data already tells us is true: more needs to be done to protect against these dangerous neurotoxins, and MDA has both the authority and responsibility to do it.”  

In cases such as this, MERA gives a government agency the opportunity to consider in the first instance whether its regulations adequately protect Minnesotans’ rights. This settlement requires MDA to move forward with that process. By skipping unnecessary litigation and imposing a firm deadline on MDA, it ensures that accountability is paired with timely decision-making and minimal further delay.  

“For years, MDA’s inaction on neonic-coated seeds has allowed unchecked neonic pollution that decimates pollinators and ecosystems and poses risks to children’s health,” said Lucas Rhoads, senior attorney for the Nature Program at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “MDA must act quickly. This agreement moves the process forward and forces MDA to finally take a hard look at whether its pesticide rules actually protect Minnesota’s natural resources.” 

Background:

• Neonicotinoid pesticides, or “neonics,” are potent neurotoxic insecticides commonly applied as coatings on crop seeds, including corn and soybeans planted across millions of acres in Minnesota each year. After planting, more than 90 percent of the pesticide coating does not stay on the seed or target pests, instead migrating into surrounding soil and water where it can persist for years.
• Neonics pose risks to children’s health and are linked to widespread ecological harm, including declines in bees, butterflies, birds, and aquatic life, as well as contamination of Minnesota's water sources and wildlife. Despite these seed treatments providing little to no economic benefit for farmers, their continued use has made neonics one of the most pervasive and damaging sources of pesticide pollution in the state.
• In August 2025, NRDC and MCEA filed suit against the MDA in order to safeguard Minnesotans and the state from the adverse effects of these toxic pesticides. The settlement described above is the outcome of this litigation and represents a key step forward in creating a healthier and safer Minnesota while maintaining its natural ecosystems. 

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd). 

Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) is Minnesota’s leading nonprofit environmental law and public policy organization working to protect our environment and the health of our people.