Blog note: this article reports on the questioning of a grand jury report.
Ventura County is rooted in agriculture. Many residents say the farms and ranches that stretch across the county are the reason they love the area so much.
The downside of living near farmland is the ever-present concern over the use of pesticides. Though its a necessary part of farming and is regulated for safety, according to industry experts, some residents have concerns about the health effects of the chemicals.
In a recently released report, the Ventura County grand jury suggested that more monitoring sites be built to test the air quality around areas using pesticides and to ensure the safety of kids who go to day care or schools near farm fields.
However, the Farm Bureau of Ventura County, which represents and supports the local agricultural community, said adding more monitoring sites isn’t a wise way to use limited resources because pesticide drift has not occurred in nearly two decades.
The grand jury’s concern stemmed from there being only one test site—at Rio Mesa High School, which monitors pesticide use throughout most of Oxnard.
“The area of the square miles is such a large amount, just one (test site) didn’t seem adequate,” said Kay Diamond, the grand jury’s foreperson.
Although this is worrisome to some, there are only eight testing sites in California.
Ed Williams, Ventura County agricultural commissioner, said states determine where the test sites should be built by analyzing what pesticides are being used and where, as well as if there is potential for the air quality to be affected.
Williams also said the site is at Rio Mesa because that’s the area where pesticides are used most in Ventura County.
Despite its suggestion for more testing sites, the grand jury reported that the agricultural commission has been effective at reducing pesticide, herbicide and fumigant exposure over the course of the past year and is following protocols to keep the public safe.
While the jury, which serves as a watchdog by investigating and reporting on the affairs of local government, has no enforcement power, it can compel a response from public agencies, making it public.
John Krist, CEO of the farm bureau, said one site should be sufficient because pesticide concentrations are well below the threshold of concern.
“The jury’s recommendation that more sites should be established is not supported by any of the facts the report cites and would not represent a wise use of the county agricultural commissioner’s scarce resources,” Krist said.
Although it is unlikely more test sites will be built anytime soon, Williams said, the commission is reviewing the report and will make a decision after talking with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation in Sacramento, which ultimately has the power to say whether another site should be built.
“I’m sure it would give people more comfort, but I’m not sure if it’s necessary yet,” Williams said.
July 12, 2019
Simi Valley Acorn
By Krista Abrahamsen
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