Growers are not required by law to notify their residential neighbors when they are going to apply pesticides.
“There are already so many regulations on so many different levels that farmers have to follow. It’s pretty hard to farm in California,” Stace Leoni, deputy Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner.
Earlier this year, legislative bill AB-1419 would have allowed an increase in fines for seriously violating pesticide regulations. While DPR sponsored the bill, Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) abstained. The bill did not pass.
“He should be an advocate working with residents in his district,” said Nayamin Martinez, director of the Central California Environmental Justice Network. “He should be more proactive supporting bills seeking to protect farmworkers.”
“We aren’t trying to poison anyone,” Orange Cove farmer Steffen Henke said. “Unless people are willing to buy scarred fruit, we are going to have to be killing bugs.”
California DPR continues to roll out protections, and evaluate regulations that are in effect. But activists who are invigorated by what they call a lack of protection, expect more.
“A lot of activists don’t like pesticides,” said Fadipe, “ It’s like the antichrist. No protection is ever enough.”