The Californians for Pesticide Reform coalition and our partners Valley Improvement Projects, Safe Ag Safe Schools, Pesticide Action Network and Future Leaders of Change applaud Governor Newsom for his decisive action in signing AB 1864 (Connolly). This law ensures that common sense restrictions on pesticide use near schools are fully enforceable and extends existing protections to all California children, at both private and public schools. Chemical pesticide exposure is a serious environmental injustice, with the burden borne disproportionately by Latino residents of farmworking communities. Because of their developing bodies and brains, children suffer the greatest harm from pesticide exposure.
AB 1864 will extend to private schools the 1/4-mile safety buffer zones during school hours, where most drift-prone pesticides cannot be applied, as well as requiring pesticide application information that can improve enforcement of the policy.
“This bill is a major victory for children’s health,” said Jane Sellen, Co-Director of Californians for Pesticide Reform. “We are very grateful to Assemblymember Connolly and the legislature for their leadership in protecting children from toxic chemical pesticide exposure.”
Californians for Pesticide Reform (CPR) is a statewide coalition of 200+ organizations working together since 1996 to fundamentally shift the way pesticides are used in California. Safe Ag Safe Schools and Future Leaders of Change are local CPR coalitions in the Monterey Bay area. Valley Improvement Projects and Pesticide Action Network are members of the CPR Steering Committee.