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Pesticides are wreaking havoc on animals, human health, and the environment, but the Protect America's Children from Toxic Pesticides Act (PACTPA), which was recently reintroduced by Sen. Cory Booker, would fix problems with pesticide regulation and get some of the most dangerous poisons out of our nation's farming system. Urge your senator to support this critical piece of legislation!

In the U.S., over 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used every year, which we expect to be sufficiently regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, once they're formally approved, or registered, by the EPA, they can stay on the market for decades, even if new research becomes available that proves they are dangerous and no longer meet the safety standard initially used for approval.

Organophosphate pesticides, for example, are neurotoxins that are used to target certain insects, but they're toxic to other insects and many species of birds and other animals, including our companions. They've been linked to cancer and endocrine disruption, brain development issues in children, and have been found to threaten 97% of endangered species.

Paraquat, which is one of the most toxic pesticides out there, can cause organ failure and brain damage and has been linked to an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease.

Neonicotinoid pesticides are causing a rapid decline in pollinators, pushing them to the brink and putting wild animals and our food system at risk.

Even more troubling is that many of the pesticides used in the U.S. have been banned in the European Union and elsewhere, and loopholes exist that allow their continued use here.

PACTPA would improve the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act of 1972 (FIFRA) by banning organophosphate pesticides, paraquat, and neonicotinoids, and closing loopholes that have allowed the EPA to issue emergency exemptions before pesticides have been fully reviewed. It would also suspend the use of pesticides banned in Canada and the European Union.

Among other measures, it would also create a petition process for citizens, enabling communities to enact protective legislation and protect the disproportionately affected farmworkers we all rely on for food by requiring employers to report pesticide-caused injuries and improving labeling.

We're currently facing looming threats affecting public health and the environment, including a massive loss of biodiversity that continues to be exacerbated by toxic pesticides. This common-sense legislation would go a long way toward ridding our environment of products that are hurting animals and human health, including that of children and farm workers, and poisoning our food, land, and water.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Support the Protect America's Children from Toxic Pesticides Act!

As someone who’s concerned with human health, animal welfare, and the environment, I’m writing to urge you to support and co-sponsor the recently reintroduced Protect America's Children from Toxic Pesticides Act (PACTPA). This much-needed and commonsense legislation would fix problems with pesticide regulation and get some of the most dangerous poisons out of our farming system.
 
In the U.S., over 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used every year, and once they’re approved, or registered, by the EPA they can stay on the market for decades, even if new research becomes available that proves they are dangerous and no longer meet the safety standard initially used for approval.
 
Dozens of these dangerous pesticides in use have been proven incredibly harmful to human health, the environment, and wild animals and have already been banned in the EU. Many, such as organophosphate pesticides, have been linked to cancer and endocrine disruption, brain development issues in children, and have been found to threaten 97% of endangered species.
 
Among many important measures, PACTPA would significantly change things by banning organophosphate pesticides and neonicotinoid pesticides which are both responsible for threatening pollinators, and paraquat, which has been shown to cause Parkinson’s disease.
 
It would also improve protections for disproportionately affected farmworkers, who we all rely on, and ensure local communities have the right to implement measures to protect themselves against pesticides.
 
We’re currently facing looming threats affecting public health and the environment, including a massive loss of biodiversity that continues to be exacerbated by toxic pesticides. This common-sense legislation would go a long way toward ridding our environment of products that are hurting children and farm workers, poisoning our food, land, and water, and threatening wild animals.

Thank you for your consideration of this critical matter.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.