The following comments were provided in written form to DPR at Strategic Planning Public Meetings held on Nov. 3 and Nov. 6, 2023:
Name: David Tomlinson
Comments: the proposal is weak. Either create a stronger plan with a greater percent reduction and ...↓
Name: Robin Spring
Comments: I want to see a plan in place to notify all the residents in the senior villages where I live in advance (24 hours minimum) of pesticide or fumigant application in our neighborhood. The current the pilot project only allows residents whose homes actually abut but the fields to be sprayed, to request this notification. Neighbors across the street from me and hundreds of other seniors in our HOA's are kept in the dark. Pesticides do not stay in one place, pesticides are subject to wind drift. And being a coastal community, we have a lot of wind. People need to be forewarned in order to take safety precautions parentheses closing windows, remaining indoors, securing pets indoors.) this process should be easy, transparent, both via door-to-door notification/ in addition to online. Many seniors are not computer savvy. Finally, we could avoid all this if pesticides were banned completely, organic farming instituted. This would help mitigate climate change by carbon sequestration in the soil stores carbon through regenerative AG.
Name: Jessica Gonzalez
Comments: my parents, family, friends all have at least one person who works in the field. These pesticides are killing our health our years of life for what? We need you guys to take action for us this this quote strategic plan for 2024 through 2028 UN quote will not help us, it's going to take years for change, what we need is change right now. How many more farm workers have to get sick in order for you guys to notice how bad this is, not just for farm workers but for the consumers. These fruits and vegetables are killing us little by little, the pesticides are harming our environment, please consider us and our life thank you.
Name: Valeria Medina
Comments: the plan will not be efficient to solve the pesticide problem this problem is happening now so save it now. People's lives are at risk. Don't procrastinate this solution.
Name: Kari Alst
Comments: The currently proposed plan should be scrapped and a new one created. It is clear that environmental racism is that play in DPR’s inability to make meaningful changes to truly reduce all pesticide usage and levels in our state. AG commissioners need to be relieved of their responsibilities to protect farmworkers that should be addressed in the plan ASAP utilizing the input of all who attended today.
Name: anonymous
Comments: What resources are you providing farm and field workers and educating them about what is at stake in regards to their health and well-being when they are placed in pesticide field fields. Will you also be enforcing something like Wellness or annual health exams for these workers to ensure your plan is making the intended difference? How are you holding yourselves accountable for the effectiveness of your plan?
Name: Kam Poparai
Comments: it is my hope that DPR doesn't allow activists influence policy. This is another step in pushing out small family farms. The increased regulatory environment is helping make the decision to sell out easier. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Name: Lupita B.
Comments: (translated from Spanish) For me, it is really important that communities near agriculture and those that work in the fields are truly considered. Pesticides cause many illnesses and birth defects. This shouldn’t just be a plan, we want actions against pesticide use and stronger regulations for those who use unauthorized pesticides and also regulations for when pesticides are applied, minimize processing time {in context I assume this means, shorten time it takes to get regulations}, and eventually get to a place where pesticides are no longer used.
Name: Kathleen Wardell
Comments: The people want organic food, it shouldn't be a choice. The choice unfortunately separates those who can afford it and those who can't. Not to mention the exposures farm workers are exposed to, they want to feel protected. They are asking for simple common sense policies like quote right to know UN They are asking for simple common sense policies like quote right to know UN quote when pesticides are being sprayed so they can stay away from these biocides and ideally safer conditions where these chemicals are no longer being used. DPR mentions equity but these current practices are not equitable, in fact it's inhumane to a vulnerable population.
Name: Rocio Madrigal
Comments: You stated that you guide AG commissioners, we need your guidance to have Fresno commission speak to constituents. For 1.5 years we have tried to get her office to take 45 minutes time and present on zoom to farmworkers about what and how her office works and or enforces regulations. please regulate TELON in Fresno county. You are killing humans slowly.
Name: Solano family
Comments: (Translated from Spanish) I am a farmworker, I have worked 10 or more years in the fields and I didn’t know that pesticides cause so much damage, I didn’t know that the air causes so many allergies {due to pesticides}, and it is proven that pesticides cause cancer, asthma, and so many other diseases. Imagine what we are breathing in, not just my family but all human begins. Please do something for the love of God, our kids have so many illnesses. Now, please.
Name: RR Fresno
Comments: (Translated from Spanish) To whom this may concern, I just want to ask that this doesn’t stay in a document, that you do the whatever is possible to help us. We are hard workers and fight daily for our families. For our families to be healthy in regards to the risks that hurt our bodies. This is our daily life. Thank you for your support.
Name: Karen Cameron
Comments: Several items are noticeably missing: timeline dates, explanation of lack of air monitoring systems in key ag areas like Salinas, and adequate specific, data-based transparency. These goals are pathetic. Mitigating at least two priority pesticides? There are more than 100 pesticides already banned in dozens of EU countries! Include a goal of scientifically understanding what happens when pesticides, fumigants and fungicides are combined. Prioritize creating sustainable organic farming and eliminating or at least significantly reducing the use of toxins: pesticides, fumigants and fungicides! Set boundaries around schools (1 mile buffer zones)
Name: billionaire bill
Comments: What about the farmers are workers who get exposed to these chemicals on a daily basis. It profit over people. There are cleaner ways for farming. Would the companies who own these companies let their families eat the chemicalized food.
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