Washington Tree Fruit Industry Concerned About Thursday Pesticide Hearing

On Thursday, the Washington state Senate Ag, Water and Natural Resources Committee is scheduled to debate legislation, looking at greatly reducing the use of, or in some cases banning organophosphate pesticides, such as chlorpyrifos.  Supporters of the legislation, Senate Bill 6518, say they are looking to protect mothers and children from these pesticides.

April Clayton with the Washington Farm Bureau said safety it top of mind for producers across the Evergreen state, adding Washington has some of the best management practices in the U.S.

“Especially for a pesticide such as organophosphate.  We make sure that the environment the animals and especially ourselves and our children are protected from these things.  But it is a very useful tool to have in our toolbox and eliminating it is not the right answer.”

Clayton, a tree fruit growers in North Central Washington, said when it comes specifically to chlorpyrifos, if applied, it’s done only once a year.  And growers don’t apply pesticides in windy conditions, because drift translates into financial loss.

Clayton added it is concerning that this SB 6518 will be discussed on Environmental Day in Olympia, adding emotion and fears will drive the conversation.

"And we need to have science based discussion around this.  It’s important for organophosphates to stay in our pesticide tool kit, because especially for the tree fruit farmer Little Cherry Disease, the vector from which it goes from plant to plant is through insects.  And once that insect gets into that tree, and that virus gets into the tree, the only thing you can do is remove the tree all together.”

Thursday’s hearing in the Senate starts at 1:30 p.m.

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