For Immediate Release: July 16, 2020
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA: This morning, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) released a final report evaluating sustainable alternatives to the neurodevelopmental toxicant pesticide chlorpyrifos.
Following Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement in May 2019 that the administration had decided to cancel the registration of chlorpyrifos for use in the state, a Work Group was convened to identify short- and long-term alternatives for pest control to replace the chemical when sales ceased in February 2020.
The group pulled together their preliminary recommendations, and then held several listening sessions in Fresno, Sacramento and Oxnard to elicit comments from the public. Over the last few months, the Work Group has been applying these comments to their recommendations, and the report includes a five-year action plan for implementing the use of identified alternatives.
Margaret Reeves, PAN senior scientist and member of the chlorpyrifos alternatives work group shared the following statement:
“Despite a very rushed timeline, the report was able to incorporate community feedback effectively, and does a good job reflecting the different perspectives of the group. The report clearly identifies next steps that focus on widespread implementation of ecologically-based Integrated Pest Management, which minimizes risks to communities and the environment. It is important that moving forward, the membership of the group reflects the communities impacted, and continues with an emphasis on agroecological pest management as the safest, most equitable, and cost-effective way to protect farmer livelihoods and community health.”
Media contact
Ahna Kruzic, ahna@panna.org
(510) 927-5379
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