OFB Asking Growers To Speak Up For Chlorpyrifos and Neonicotinoid Use

On Tuesday, lawmakers in Salem will look at companion legislation that would completely ban chlorpyrifos and make all neonicotinoid products Restricted Used.  Jenny Dresler with the Oregon Farm Bureau said banning chlorpyrifos would be extremely harmful to the farming community, especially since Oregon is so heavy in specialty crops.  She said chlorpyrifos is currently used on about 100 crops in Oregon.

“It’s labeled in other countries   as an allowed use as well, so in terms of trade, maintaining registration for chlorpyrifos in Oregon does help keep those doors open for our growers to continue trading with other countries, where other products may not be labeled for use in those countries.”

Dresler also noted chlorpyrifos also meets phytosanitary requirements for many major destinations of Oregon goods.  She noted that House Bill 3058 and Senate Bill 853 would not only be bad for the Ag community now, but looking ahead to the future as well.

“It gets really risky for us when we’re asking policy makers to make product by product determinations, rather than scientists, and we do have a roll for our state agencies when it comes to making those decisions, but these bills essentially open up a lot of decisions to policy makers who may or may not have that same scientific background.”

OFB is asking growers around the state to have their voices heard, and comment on HB 3058 and SB 853.

Details (SB 853):
Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee, Chair Michael Dembrow
1:00 PM in Hearing Room C
Submit comments: senr.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov

Details (HB 3058):
House Agriculture & Land Use Committee, Chair Brian Clem
3:00 PM in Hearing Room D
Submit comments: haglu.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com