Contrary to the findings of the EPA and expertise of farmers, a new bill would ban the use of Chlorpyrifos in Washington state to limit “prenatal exposure and harm to children” through food residue, contaminated drinking water, or “toxic spray drift from nearby pesticide applications.”

The bill would bypass the scientific research of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in determining the harmful effects of agricultural products. Chlorpyrifos first came on the market in 1965 and was first reviewed by the EPA in 2000 when applications were changed to protect children; additional changes were made in 2002, 2011, 2012, and 2014. The EPA review process is data-driven and relies on the collection of reports of illnesses related to pesticides under review. In the case of Chlorpyrifos, the EPA has no evidence suggesting it is unsafe for use in crop production.

The current use of Chlorpyrifos is a single application, broad-spectrum pesticide making it an effective and efficient alternative to other products that may require multiple applications to provide the same crop protection. 

Chlorpyrifos is widely used in our state for the production of fruit and vegetable crops including pears, sweet cherries, plums, cucumbers, corn, onions, and more. The real losers in the potential ban of Chlorpyrifos are seed producers. Washington farmers who grow cauliflower, spinach, and other seed crops will have no alternative pesticides to apply to their export crops. 

Farmers in Washington state are parents, too. They are as concerned with the wellbeing of children – their own and those that live down the road – as any other adult. Farmers know very well the risks of each pesticide and know their own children might be exposed to more than the trace amount that might remain on fruit in a grocery store. They are careful for their own family, as well as for their customers. 

They are also concerned about capably raising a viable crop to help support their families. In some cases, doing so means having the ability to reasonably apply pesticides as directed on the label.

Pesticides are always a complicated issue. Farmers apply pesticides with a minimal application policy because it is better for their crops, for their land, and, most importantly, for their communities. While exploring ways to make food healthier and more approachable for everyone, lawmakers need to consider the potential unintended consequences of their decisions. If the ultimate goal is to help a whole community by supporting prenatal care and children, that should include providing food producers with the best, scientifically safe opportunities for growing nutritious foodstuffs for mothers and children.