Toxic Free News - Winter 2004

Ending a three-year saga that prompted the greatest number of public comments in Pesticide Board history (more than 2,000!), the NC Pesticide Board decided in November 2003 to drop a chemical-industry proposal that would have gutted aerial spray regulations. The decision was made in light of tremendous public opposition, as well as criticism from the NC Department of Public Instruction, NC Department of Health and Human Services and the US EPA.

Pesticide Board members cited public outcry as the main reason behind their decision to drop the rules, stating that they never intended to pass a rule that would have harmed public health. Congratulations and hearty thanks to all those who contacted the Board, attended public hearings, and helped spread the word about this potentially destructive change. Many other organizations joined us in this fight, including Student Action with Farmworkers, National Farmworker Ministry, FLOC, Conservation Council of NC, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, Triangle Friends of the United Farmworkers, Chocowinity Middle School PTO, NC Conservation Network, Clean Water for NC, Pamlico-Tar River Foundation, Episcopal Farmworker Ministries, Concerned Citizens of Southeast NC, Legal Aid NC, the Dogwood Alliance, Sierra Club NC, Family Farms & Forests, and many more.

Toxic Free NC and our allies recognize that this struggle is not at an end. North Carolinians continue to be poisoned by pesticide drift from aerial application and other sources, and we will continue to work for stronger regulations that protect public health. If you are concerned about pesticide drift in your community, call us at 1-877-NO DRIFT for help.

See our Aerial Spray campaign page for more information and a list of recent news articles on this topic.

Toxic Free News is a publication of
Toxic Free North Carolina
206 New Bern Place, Raleigh, NC 27601, (919) 833-5333, -1123
http://www.toxicfreenc.org

Mission: Toxic Free NC advocates for alternatives to toxic pesticides in North Carolina by empowering people to make sound decisions about their health and environment.

Staff: Fawn Pattison, Executive Director; Billie Karel, Program Coordinator; Amanda McRae, Administrative Intern

Board of Directors: Allen Spalt, President; Jane Sharp MacRae, Secretary; Erick Umstead, Senior Scientist; Billie Rogers, Emeritus; Mary Jo Windley; Savi Horne; Carolyn Prince; Cindy Soehner; Katherine M. Shea.

Contributors: Billie Karel, Fawn Pattison, Kate Pattison; Webmaster: Billie Karel