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West coast farmers face new pesticide restrictions
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by poolparty | November 20, 2008 at 12:55 pm
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Farmers along the western coast of the US face new pesticide restrictions. The new restrictions have been implemented to protect salmon. The three pesticides, chlorpyrifos, diazinon and malathion, hurt the reproduction salmon. These new restrictions ban farmers from using them within 500 feet of streams that contain salmon.
Farmers in Washington state and along the entire US west coast face extensive new restrictions on three popular pesticides in the name of protecting salmon.
The pesticides are common in the state's apple and cherry orchards, potato fields and berry farms. Restrictions could cover big swaths of Washington farmland where streams carry a variety of federally protected salmon and steelhead, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Under the rules, the pesticides couldn't be used within 500 feet (152 metres) of streams that carry salmon. Crop dusters would have to stay even farther away, and farmers using the pesticides would have to leave 20-foot strips of land uncultivated along drainage ditches and streams that are home to the fish.
The fisheries service found the three pesticides, chlorpyrifos, diazinon and malathion, threatened salmon and steelhead by hurting reproduction, impairing fish development, damaging the ability to swim and avoid predators, and poisoning insects the fish feed on.
This is just one step forward in helping the native fish along the west coast. California’s native game fish have been declining and will face extinction if more steps aren’t being taken.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (4)
at 16:53 on November 21st, 2008
Canada has phased out the use of Diazinon. We still have malathion but I don't know about the chlorpyrifos. It just makes good sense not to use any pesticide near a waterway. Thanks for the good news.
at 06:45 on December 12th, 2008
There are plenty of less-toxic ways to control pests...we need to invest in a safer way to produce produce.
at 17:31 on December 15th, 2008
Restricting pesticide is a long over due Policy.
at 17:31 on December 15th, 2008
Restricting pesticide is a long over due Policy.
at 17:48 on December 15th, 2008
Good move. It's still a bit close, but it's a great start.