Draft language in the new farm bill could weaken state protections and legal recourse related to pesticide risks.
Lisa Held reports for Civil Eats.
In short:
- The bill includes provisions that would make it harder for states to regulate pesticides and limit individuals' ability to sue for pesticide-related harm.
- Industry groups like Bayer and CropLife America are lobbying to support these provisions, while public health and environmental groups oppose them.
- The bill might also alter the way interagency consultations on pesticides and endangered species are conducted, potentially favoring industry interests.
Key quote:
“This is an effort to not only cut off the ability of farmers, farmworkers, and groundskeepers to hold the companies accountable, it’s an effort to prevent the public from ever learning about the dangers in the first place.”
— Daniel Hinkle, senior state affairs counsel for the American Association for Justice
Why this matters:
Reducing state regulations and legal protections for pesticide use could increase health risks for farmworkers and communities exposed to these chemicals. In addition, ecosystems already under stress from climate change and habitat loss could face additional pressures from increased pesticide use, affecting biodiversity and long-term environmental health.
