Why is pollinator safety relevant to seed treatments?

• A. Pollinator safety is unrelated to seed treatments.
• B. Seed treatments do not affect pollinators and require no precautions.
• C. Some actives can affect pollinators; labels provide precautions to minimize exposure.
• D. Pollinator safety only matters during harvest handling.

Answer: (C)

Pollinator safety matters for seed treatments because some active ingredients used to protect seeds can harm bees and other pollinators if they’re exposed. Even though the treatment targets the seed, dust produced during planting, residues in soil, or exposure when flowers emerge can bring pollinators into contact with the chemical. Labels include precautions to minimize this risk, such as using low-dust or dust-free seed treatments, timing planting to avoid blooming periods, following proper seed handling and equipment cleaning, and disposing of treated seed appropriately. By following these label directions, you protect pollinators while still getting the crop protection benefits. The other options aren’t correct because seeds treatments can affect pollinators, and precautions are often needed—not just during harvest, and not as if there were no risk at all.