Last week, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) released a proposed regulation restricting pesticide use near schools, including a ¼ mile restriction on certain pesticide applications and new notification requirements. This regulation is slated to take effect in September 2017.
California’s growers recognize and value the importance of applying pesticides in a manner that protects public health and safety. Pesticides are applied in adherence to their label requirements which have accounted for potential risk. However, Western Growers is concerned that this newly proposed regulation is not based on sound science and may cause unforeseen consequences for both growers and schools.
DPR will be holding two public hearings in November and we encourage WG members to attend and voice concerns about how this regulation would affect your operations. Additional information about the hearings and specific details of the proposed regulation can be found on DPR’s website.
Coupled with regulatory barriers including labor, water quality and water supply, these new pesticide regulations add to the list of challenges facing agriculture in California. Western Growers is committed to advocating for the industry and will continue to communicate with regulators regarding the critical need to base regulations on sound science.
RESOURCES ON PROPOSED REGULATION
For more information, contact Matthew Allen at (916) 446-1435.