For Immediate Release—Aug 14, 2019
SACRAMENTO, CA — This morning, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration filed notices with Dow (now Corteva) and other manufacturers of the neurodevelopmental toxicant pesticide chlorpyrifos to cancel chlorpyrifos product registrations. This filing marks the formal start of proceedings to cancel chlorpyrifos’ registration in California. This announcement follows Governor Newsom’s historic May 2019 decision to initiate the process to cancel the registration of the pesticide for use in the state of California.
The Newsom administration also announced formation of a multi-sector work group, convened by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture, to “identify, evaluate and recommend safer, sustainable pest management solutions that can replace the pesticide chlorpyrifos.”
Medha Chandra of Pesticide Action Network issued the following statement:
“Pesticide Action Network applauds this long-overdue action on the pesticide chlorpyrifos taken by Governor Newsom’s administration. We hope this step will protect vulnerable populations, especially children and farmworkers, from exposure to this highly hazardous brain-damaging pesticide. Almost 1 million pounds of this pesticide are applied in the state per year as per the most recent data available.
“We are encouraged by the commitment of CalEPA and the California Department of Food and Agriculture to find alternatives to chlorpyrifos, and are pleased PAN scientist Margaret Reeves and allies were appointed to the Alternatives to Chlorpyrifos Work Group. We urge the administration to recognize the fundamental role of soil health in ensuring crop health and resilience to pests and disease, and to focus on integrated pest management, and to encourage the transition to agroecological methods of crop production in the state.
“While we await federal action, PAN applauds action on chlorpyrifos at the state level. Governor Newsom has taken critical action needed to protect generations of California children from brain damage.”
Media contact:
Ahna Kruzic, ahna@panna.org, (510) 927-5379
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Pesticide Action Network works to create a just, thriving food system. PAN works alongside those on the frontlines of pesticide exposure — from farmworkers to rural communities to beekeepers. PAN links local and international consumer, labor, health, environment and agriculture groups into an international citizens’ action network. Together, we challenge the global proliferation of pesticides, defend basic rights to health and environmental quality, and work to ensure the transition to a just and viable food system.
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