Pesticide Changes
Pesticide Changes. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report.
On Monday, the EPA made some major changes in how farm workers handle pesticides and some of the infrastructure surrounding the handling. During the announcement, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy announced the major changes. Arturo Rodriguez, President of the United Farm Workers said these changes are a welcome benefit for workers.
RODRIGUEZ: Protecting both farm workers and consumers has been a hallmark of the United Farm Workers since the 1960's. The first time DDT and two other toxic pesticides were banned in the United States was not by the EPA it was via a UFW contract with a grape grower in 1967.
The new rules require farms to make a host of changes. Employers will have to train workers on the risks of pesticides every year, rather than every five years. Workers will have to stay farther away from contaminated fields. Farmers will have to keep more records on exactly when and where they used specific pesticides. And no children under the age of 18 will be allowed to handle the chemicals.
RODRIGUEZ: Our founder, Caesar Chavez, asked what good does it do to achieve the blessing of collective bargaining and make economic progress for people when their health is destroyed in the process.
The changes are designed to reduce the risk of injury or illness resulting from contact with pesticides on farms and in forests, nurseries and greenhouses.
RODRIGUEZ: So today we can say that most of the same rules that have protected other American workers from dangerous cancer and birth defect causing pesticides are finally going to protect farm workers under the new EPA regulations.
That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network of the West.
