Immediate action needed on farmworker pesticide safety bill

As early as tomorrow, the N.C. House is expected to take up a bill that aims to better protect the state's farmworkers from pesticide exposure.

Introduced by Reps. Dan Blue and Grier Martin of Raleigh, the measure is a response to the tragic Ag-Mart case in which Carlos Candelario (pictured here) and other children born to employees of the company's tomato farms in North Carolina and Florida suffered severe birth defects. A state investigation found hundreds of violations of pesticide laws and worker protection standards at Ag-Mart farms.

Senate Bill 847, Prevent Agricultural Pesticide Exposure, would require better record-keeping when pesticides are used and workers are present. It would also prohibit employer retaliation against workers who report pesticide safety problems.

Toxic Free NC is asking supporters to take action by 1 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, July 3. For more on the bill and how to contact your representatives, click here.

(Palm Beach Post photo courtesy of Toxic Free NC website)