CALIFORNIA – California now has the nation’s strictest rules for pesticides after a change that was designed to protect farmworkers and people who live and work new agricultural fields.
According to CBS News, these new restrictions target chloropicrin, a pesticide that can be injected into the ground before planting crops like strawberries, tomatoes and almond orchards. These new regulations are even stricter than the standards required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Under this new rule, farmers are limited to applying the pesticide on up to 40 acres in one day. That represents a reduction of 75% of the previously approved amount.
Officials say that the rule will also expand the distance between fields and human activity. In some cases, that could double the current distance. Farmers who use upgraded tarps to cover their fields while applying the pesticide, however, can follow less stringent regulations.
What will this mean for costs?
Brian Leahy, Director of the California Department of Pesticide Regulations, told CBS that the higher standards are needed in California. As far as costs, he added that costs are sure to rise for farmers and consumers, but that it will be worth it.
According to KCRA, the state has been in talks with growers for over a year about the new standards and will immediately begin to implement them, with full compliance required by 2016.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to follow this story.
