November 13, 2003

Contact: Eric Cárdenas, CCEHP: (805) 963-1622, ext. 102

LOCAL GROUPS HIGHLIGHT FLAWS IN PROPOSED
METHYL BROMIDE REGULATIONS

Ventura, Ca.- Labor, Health and Environmental groups gathered at the steps of Ventura City Hall to publicize flaws in proposed regulations governing the use of the highly toxic fumigant pesticide, methyl bromide. The groups convened in anticipation of a hearing scheduled to take place this Saturday, November 15th at Seaside Park in Ventura.

"The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) claims that the proposed regulations will 'enhance protection' from long term exposure to methyl bromide," said Jeff Kuyper, Legal Analyst with the Santa Barbara based Environmental Defense Center (EDC). "Unfortunately, the exact opposite is true."

Mr. Kuyper is referring to proposed long-term exposure levels that have been deemed "acceptable" by DPR, although they allow a 9 fold increase in exposure for children (from 1ppb to 9ppb), and an 8 fold increase (from 2ppb to 16ppb) for adult workers. The relaxed exposure limits are based on a controversial interpretation of a 2002 study (Schaeffer), conducted by methyl bromide manufacturers, that California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has concluded is highly flawed.

"The fact that these new levels were based on an industry-led study that was refuted by OEHHA and questioned by several State and Federal scientists makes the proposed regulations even more suspect," said Mr. Kuyper.

Methyl Bromide is a highly toxic fumigant applied to soil before the planting of crops such as strawberries. Its production and consumption is scheduled to be banned under the Montreal Protocol by 2005 due to its ability to deplete the Earth's protective ozone layer. It is also a pesticide known to cause reproductive harm.

"As if increased acceptable exposure levels to the public weren't enough, DPR has again largely ignored farmworkers," said Santos Gomez, Directing Attorney for California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) in Oxnard. "From providing notice to farmworkers working adjacent to an application, to the equipment these workers wear to protect themselves, the proposed regulations are inadequate."

Ventura County applied nearly 1.5 million pounds of methyl bromide in 2001, largely for the production of strawberries. This is approximately 70% of all methyl bromide use in the Tri-Counties in 2001.

According to Cecilia Harmon of Green Gold International, DPR and industry groups are ignoring the problem by promoting continued methyl bromide use while ignoring feasible alternatives.

"The key to quality produce is healthy plants and healthy soil, "said Ms. Harmon. "Methyl bromide does little except pollute our environment, harm human health, and necessitate the use of other toxic chemicals."

Ms. Harmon, with her partner Timothy Hollingsworth, have been helping farmers along the Central Coast convert their "conventional" acreage to pesticide free, environmentally friendly agriculture. At this time, they oversee five pilot projects on approximately 20 acres in the Santa Maria area, with some landowners looking to expand their Green Gold acreage in subsequent seasons.

"The results are amazing," said Ms. Harmon. "For roughly the same price as growing berries from pesticide treated soil, we are seeing bigger, better tasting, and healthier berries. Why would anyone argue with that?"

DPR has previously been sued by CRLA and EDC for failure to consult with other agencies, namely the Department of Food and Agriculture, in promulgating new regulations for methyl bromide. Although the suit has since been dropped, the groups continue to fight for regulations that are more protective of human health. A public hearing is scheduled at Seaside Park in Ventura on Saturday, November 15th from 1-4pm. Comment deadline on the proposed rules in November 18th, 2003.

CRLA was founded in 1966 as a nonprofit legal services program with a mission to strive for economic justice and human rights on behalf of the rural poor. CRLA has 22 offices from the Mexican border to Northern California, providing more than 20,000 poor rural Californians with no-cost legal services and a variety of community education and outreach programs.

EDC is a non-profit, public interest environmental law firm serving Central Coast communities for over 25 years. EDC fights to protect the environment, health and quality of life for Central Coast residents by providing legal services, advocacy support and education on a wide range of issues.

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