Dear Santa Cruz County Supervisors, Assembly member Stone, Assembly member Rivas, Senator Laird, Senator Caballero:
We urge you to help us improve the transition of Pajaro Valley agriculture away from toxic pesticides to organic and regenerative farming.
We are alarmed about the high level of pesticides being applied in Santa Cruz County, which are reported on a 3-year delay. Currently, state law prohibits local regulation of pesticides used on private land, and timely public access to information on use is very limited.
State data shows that In 2017, 1.4 million pounds of agricultural pesticides were applied in Santa Cruz County. 1,069,972 pounds (76%) of these pesticides are banned or not approved for use in at least six other countries of the world. From 2011-2017, an average of 460,000 pounds of pesticides used annually were carcinogens, ranging from 332,000 to 603,000 pound per year. Carcinogenic pesticide use in Santa Cruz County climbed 140% higher in that time frame than in the 20 years before 2011, up from an average 190,000 per year.
We urge you to work with our community to build on the Organic success of the Pajaro Valley, where approximately 30% of the farming is now organic. The Pajaro Valley has some of the best farmland in one of the best climates in the world. Organic and Regenerative farming helps fight climate disaster by regenerating our soil, capturing carbon, and protects farmworkers and the community from being exposed to poisonous pesticides.
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