Thread by @Nathan_Donley

Today the first meaningful pesticide reform legislation in a quarter century was introduced in the House and Senate #PACTPA

What exactly would this bill do? Section-by-section Rundown below

biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-r…

First, the obvious. This bill faces an enormous uphill battle in this congress.

But whether it’s next congress or 20 congresses from now, pesticide reform will pass in my lifetime

This bill will be the blueprint for that reform. So it IS important and WORTH taking a look at

Section 3: This implements a hard 15-year deadline for registration review of “dangerous” pesticides

A dangerous pesticide is one that is carcinogenic, acutely toxic, an endocrine disruptor, causes harm to a pregnant woman or a fetus, or causes neurological or developmental harm

Importantly, a “dangerous” determination – and registration review of “dangerous” pesticides - must take into account I) epidemiological studies (II) peer-reviewed literature, and (III) Federal or State agency research

Studies can't be ignored if they don't comply with industry guidelines (GLP), which are NOT a measure of scientific quality and have been abused by EPA to only take into account industry research

Though it sounds wonky, this is perhaps the most important requirement in this bill

If registration review for dangerous pesticides is not completed in 15 years, then the pesticide is automatically cancelled.

The public can challenge EPA’s “dangerous” determinations and registration review decisions

Section 4: There will be a temporary suspension of pesticides that have been banned in the EU or Canada

This will be followed by a review of the peer-reviewed literature to determine whether the EU or Canada’s decision was erroneous or not.

In analyzing pesticides that have been banned elsewhere, the EPA will not be able to take into account the purported economic costs or benefits of the pesticide’s use

It's strictly an evaluation of the harms

Pesticides found to be unsafe will be cancelled within 2 years

We are falling behind at banning the worst pesticides. Over 300m lbs of pesticides are used in the US each year that are banned in the EU, China or Brazil

India has announced plans to ban 27 pesticides, including atrazine and 2,4-D. We need to catch up

blogs.biomedcentral.com/on-biology/201…

Section 5: All conditional pesticide registrations will have 2 years by which the conditions of their registration must be met or there will be an automatic cancellation.

Section 6: Existing stocks of pesticides that are cancelled cannot be used. Period.

An incredibly consequential loophole that was on full display with this year with the weedkiller dicamba

Section 7: Emergency exemptions for the use of a pesticide cannot be granted for more than 2 years in any 10-year period or for pesticides that are not already registered

This will end the egregious abuse of fake “emergencies”

Section 8: The name and percentage of all ingredients in each pesticide product must be written on the pesticide label.

No more undisclosed “inert” or “other” ingredients

Section 9: All organophosphates, like chlorpyrifos, will be immediately cancelled and all tolerances will be revoked. No existing stocks can be used

Section 10: All neonicotinoids will be immediately cancelled and all tolerances will be revoked. This includes neonics that the pesticide industry tries really hard not to call neonics: sulfoxaflor and flupyradifurone. No existing stocks can be used

Section 11: The weedkiller paraquat, linked to Parkinson’s Disease and commonly used as a suicide agent, will be immediately cancelled and all tolerances will be revoked. No existing stocks can be used

Section 12: Any political subdivision of a state (town, city, county) will be allowed to enact stronger pesticide restrictions than the federal government allows.

You shouldn’t have to be exposed to something you don’t want in your community

Section 13: All pesticide labels will be printed in English and Spanish. For any product that is known to be used by more than 500 individuals who speak a common language other than English or Spanish, the pesticide label must be translated in that language as well.

Section 36: When a farmworker incident occurs, the employer shall report detailed information on the incident to EPA within 7 days. A failure to report is subject to a $1,000 fine/day thereafter

More egregious behavior by an employer will carry prison time and 6-figure fines

This will be kept in check by the existence of an anonymous reward system to report employers who are flouting the rules

Federal agencies won't be able to take any action regarding the immigration status of a farmworker based solely on information from a farmworker incident

Every pesticide incident will be followed by a determination of whether a pesticide cancellation or restriction is warranted. If a pesticide product kills someone, it will be immediately suspended followed by a review of the incident

The public can challenge any decision by EPA

There you go. That’s the bill.

Our definition of normal has been so skewed for the last 50 years that using chemical warfare agents like organophosphates on our food seems like something we should just accept.

It’s not

Ten years ago, the thought of major pesticide legislation even being introduced in both chambers of Congress was a pipe dream.

Now it’s a reality.

People are starting to pay attention and they don’t like what they see

Thank you to the courageous @SenatorTomUdall and Congressman @JoeNeguse for this reform bill. And the many co-sponsors. We’ve still got a long way to go, but today is the day we start moving forward and stop moving backward

tomudall.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/…