Pesticides

Pesticides

Pesticides are one of the most common forms of pest control in America. But they can cause serious damage to humans and other non-targeted species.  In America, the use of pesticides is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but the system is not perfect. Most Americans are exposed to pesticides through food, often non-organic fruits and vegetables. Foods with thin, porous skins, like strawberries and apples, are likely to have higher pesticide content. Imported fruits and vegetables may have particularly high pesticide content, as they may be produced in nations where pesticide regulation isn’t as strong.

Cry Wolf Quotes

You and I know that chemical companies spend millions and millions of dollars in research. How long are they going to continue to do this if we continue to harass them?

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Rep. George Goodling (R-PA). House Committee on Agriculture hearings.

Many companies have cut back drastically their research efforts on new pesticides and diverted their funds to defensive research….Legislation and regulation may ban products but replacements cannot be regulated into existence…Companies are leaving the pesticide business or cutting down their research and development efforts.

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R.E. Naegele, manager of Dow Chemical’s agricultural department, Testimony, House Committee on Agriculture.

Are we stripping our [pesticide] arsenal of essential weapons? If we strip that arsenal, something is bound to happen. I can’t predict what insect, what disease vector, might attack the food supply or health of this country….The consequences of such a situation may go far beyond a mere food shortage….The position of our State Department could be impaired….Our military potential could be seriously affected.

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R.E. Naegele, manager of Dow Chemical’s agricultural department, Testimony, House Committee on Agriculture.

We are disappointed that they have chosen to continue to insist there is peril in fruits and vegetables. The risks are remote and hypothetical.

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John McClung, vice president for issues of United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association. The New York Times.

Backgrounders & Briefs

Good Rules: Ten Stories Of Successful Regulation

Demos looks at ten laws and rules that we take for granted.

Resources

Beyond Pesticides focuses on protecting public health and the environment to lead the transition to a world free of toxic pesticides.

Pesticide Action Network fights against the use of hazardous pesticides while promoting environmentally sustainable and socially just alternatives.