Booker, Colleagues Urge Senate Leaders to Protect State and Local Pesticide Regulations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) led 19 colleagues in calling on Senate leadership to oppose any efforts to limit existing state and local authority to regulate pesticides in the upcoming Farm Bill or any other legislation.  

“More than thirty states and hundreds of cities and counties have adopted pesticide laws and ordinances to protect workers, children, rural communities, and wildlife. State and local governments have long acted to supplement federal pesticide laws to protect people from the serious health problems—including neurological and behavioral issues, cancer, and Parkinson’s Disease—that can be caused by unsafe exposure to pesticides,” the lawmakers wrote. “States and localities have implemented protective measures that fit their local needs, such as posting warnings when pesticides have been sprayed near schools and parks, protecting drinking water supplies, protecting and informing workers, and restricting the use of some pesticides on playgrounds. States and localities have also taken measures to protect endangered species that are especially susceptible to pesticides, like pollinators.”

The lawmakers continued, “While federal regulations provide a base level of protection against the harms of pesticides, only localities and states are in the position to implement protective measures that are designed specifically to meet the needs of their citizens. Preempting these state and local laws prevents state and local officials from addressing local needs in favor of a one-size-fits-all approach.”

The lawmakers also expressed strong opposition to any proposed legislation which would prohibit states from requiring manufacturers to disclose known risks about their pesticide products, such as carcinogenicity. 

“Preemption proposals like these would eliminate laws that give consumers the ability to make informed decisions about using a pesticide product, based on the product’s risks to their health. These proposals would also take away consumers’ opportunity for redress if a manufacturer fails to issue warnings,” the lawmakers concluded. 

The letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

To read the full text of the letter, click here.

In October of 2023, over 120 Representatives signed a letter opposing federal pesticide preemption.

In January of 2024, 140 state and local leaders signed a letter opposing federal pesticide preemption.

In September of 2023, 185 organizations signed letters opposing federal pesticide preemption.