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Posts Tagged ‘pesticides’
Saturday, January 28th, 2012
A bill being debated in the Washington State assembly that would restrict the usage of pesticides near residential areas is picking up steam, according to sources in the Washington Statehouse.
Sponsors of the bill say that it is necessary to protect farm workers and local residents from the negative health effects of pesticide use. Farmers, on the other hand, argue that the bill would hamper agricultural production and is unnecessary given current federal pesticide regulations.
The bill in question would create buffer zones preventing farms from spraying pesticides within a half-mile of schools, day cares, and residential homes. The bill is based on current regulations that prevent pesticide spraying within a half mile of commercial greenhouses.
Current federal regulations impose no distance requirements, choosing instead to require farmers to read and obey warning labels on pesticide containers.
Representatives of the Columbia Legal Service, a non-profit organization that supports the proposed bill, argue that humans deserve the same protection as grapes (which are currently protected with pesticide buffer zones).
Farmers, on the other hand, argue that the bill is not necessary. According to the head of the Yakima Valley Growers and Shippers Association, “Humans are protected more than a grape. It’s just done in federal regulation rather than in state law.”
In addition, state agencies are unsure about the efficacy of the bill. According to the departments of Health, Agriculture, and Labor, the state government does not have the manpower or the resource to efficiently enforce the new legislation.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: pesticides, washington
Posted in General | No Comments »
Sunday, September 25th, 2011
California farm organizations are asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to clarify rules regarding organic farming. Organic farmers, particularly organic berry farmers, say that federal regulations currently contain too many loopholes that allow the use of chemical pesticides in supposedly organic products.
Strawberries in particular, one of California’s major farm products, embody these USDA loopholes. National regulations require organic produce to be grown for three years without synthetic pesticides. However, strawberry plants are grown in five year cycles. Strawberry stock plants are frequently grown in soil treated with methyl bromide, a controversial pesticide that kills soil based pests.
Organic farmers are upset that these plants are able to qualify as organic. Some organic farmers claim that it is possible to grow strawberries without pesticides, using a variety of techniques to reduce soil based pests. These techniques include creating low-oxygen conditions and adding mustard seeds and other natural plant products to reduce pest populations.
The problem, organic farmers say, is that the majority of USDA support goes to non-organic farmers, making it difficult for organic farmers to get market traction. In addition, they claim that allowing non-organic stock plants to be classified as organic makes it harder for fully organic farmers to compete.
In response to public pressure, the USDA is considering taking some pesticides like methyl bromide off the market and is considering updating its organic farming regulations.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: california, organic farming, pesticides, usda
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Sunday, September 4th, 2011
Last year, California agricultural officials and environmental regulators approved a controversial pesticide, methyl iodine, in an effort to comply with international environmental regulations. Methyl iodine was approved as a replacement to methyl bromide, an ozone depleting chemical which is being phased out across the country.
Methyl bromide is a fairly common pesticide, used across California, primarily in strawberry farms, to kill both pests and diseases in the surface of the soil. Despite is harm to the ozone and despite efforts to phase this chemical out, it is still being widely used in California. State regulators claim that few farmers have adopted methyl iodine, which has thus far been used only four times, despite the rapidly approaching peak fumigation months.
One of the reasons for the reluctance to use methyl iodine is its potential health and environmental impact. According to scientific reports, exposure to methyl iodine can cause cancer, birth defects, and miscarriages.
When the outgoing gubernatorial administration approved the use of methyl iodine, they assembled a scientific team to study potential harms to the population and the environment. However, recent documents which have been leaked to the media indicate that scientific warnings were ignored, and California regulators consulted pesticide manufacturers to determine appropriate levels of methyl iodine use and exposure.
Rather than risk opposition from environmental and health activists over the use of methyl iodine, many farmers have chosen to avoid rocking the boat, using the problematic, but less controversial, methyl bromide, until regulators can decide on a safe alternative.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: california, environmental regulations, pesticides
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Sunday, April 17th, 2011
As spring flooding continues in North Dakota, agricultural commissioners are warning farmers and ranchers to brace for continued bad weather. Severe weather conditions last week have led to road closures and have paralyzed business throughout North Dakota. Compounding the flooding problems, heavy spring snows fell on Saturday, continuing road closures and worrying state officials. The snows in particular worry cattle ranchers, who fear that the flooding combined with the ice could be deadly for cattle. In 2009, similar weather conditions killed 70,000 cattle and calves in the state.
In addition to dangers faced by cattle ranchers, heavy spring rains and continued flooding could pose serious dangers to the human population. North Dakota agriculture commissioners have warned farmers to be aware of the dangers posed by pesticide use in the face of heavy rain. Severe flooding and rain could leach pesticides from crops and fields. More importantly, pesticide and fertilizer storage containers could be damaged by flooding, potentially contaminating food and livestock feed.
Iowa is facing similar pesticide contaminations. While severe soil erosion has played a major role in Iowa’s difficulties, pesticide pollution from Iowa fields has been known to leach into local streams, eventually leading to major rivers, like the Mississippi.
Rain and snow seem likely to continue in North Dakota for the next several days.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: flooding, north dakota, pesticides
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Friday, April 2nd, 2010
The European grapevine moth is causing great damage to vineyard crops across Napa Valley.
Producers have managed to quarantine the species in Napa Valley, but are fearful for those in the nearby San Joaquin Valley. California’s agriculture is nearly dependent on the $220 million grape crop. The moth could do major damage to the overall crop production in the state.
The European grapevine moth appeared in Napa last year during harvest putting all producers in a panic. Paul Verdegaal, University of California Farm Advisor, told KCRA news, “The problem with any introduced or invasive species like this is, when they arrive someplace like this, is the usual predators and parasites that attack them in their home territories aren’t located here, so it has free reign for awhile.”
A number of producers have run into a problem of destroying and trapping the pest because the fields are organic and cannot use pesticides.
Looking to refinance your farm loan before inflation hits? Farm Loan interest rates starting at 2.99% and terms up to 25 years. See our rate sheet or call 866-929-5585 to speak with a representative.
Tags: california, moth, pesticides, vineyard
Posted in Calfornia Farm Loans, General, Vineyard Loans | No Comments »
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