A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Department of Agricutlure to reconsider its use of pesticides in Oregon, mandating more sustainable methods for controlling grasshoppers and crickets.
Andrew Miller reports for Oregon Capital Chronicle.
In short:
- The USDA must now explore alternative pest control methods beyond pesticides for Oregon’s farmland.
- Environmentalists argue that pesticide overuse harms ecosystems, especially pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- Farmers may need to adopt new strategies like rotational grazing, which could impact crop yields.
Key quote:
“If it wasn’t for insects, we wouldn’t have birds, we wouldn’t have reptiles like lizards and snakes; we wouldn’t have mammals.”
— Sharon Selvaggio, pesticide program specialist, Xerces Society
Why this matters:
Reducing pesticide use is critical to protecting biodiversity, but new methods may challenge Oregon’s farmers. The transition to more sustainable practices could affect food production and economic stability in the region.
Related EHN coverage:
