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Kathryn Gilje

Kathryn Gilje

Fresno leaders protest methyl iodide use

It was chile peppers, not strawberries, that saw the first use of cancer-causing methyl iodide to sterilize California soil. And today, community leaders from Fresno and throughout the Central Valley gathered at the Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner's office to urge officials to stop any future use of the chemical in their community.

“The Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner’s decision to allow the use of cancer-causing methyl iodide is disappointing and dangerous,” said Sarah Sharpe, environmental health director of Fresno Metro Ministry. “Today’s message to all California regulators is clear: do your job, protect public health, and support farmers as they transition away from toxic pesticides.”

Just last month, more than 200,000 consumers agreed, petitioning US EPA to ban the chemical nation-wide.

PAN is keeping the pressure on both Jerry Brown in California and Lisa Jackson at US EPA, working with partners at EarthJustice to push our lawsuit forward, and with people across the country to call for Safe Strawberries in the marketplace.

Kathryn Gilje

Kathryn Gilje

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