By Renée Scott, Mass Pollinator Network Coordinator
February 7th, was the last day for bills to be moved through committees for the 2023/2024 legislative session.
We’re proud to share that two of our priority bills for this session were reported out of committee favorably – meaning that they have a chance to become law this year!
Our priority bill, “An Act Protecting Our Soil and Farms from PFAS Contamination” (S.39/H.4288) moved out of the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (ENR), as did our priority pesticides reporting bill (S.487/H.825). The pesticides reporting bill would create an online portal and database for pesticide use reporting records with clear, online public access to the annual data, and it would also require that pesticides be proven safe before being used on playgrounds and fields where children learn and play.
Both bills represent important steps forward towards increasing transparency around pesticide use and PFAS contamination, and will help protect children’s growing bodies from pesticide exposure.
In addition to our priority bills, we also have some good news about S.445/H.845, a bill promoting ecological mosquito control. Through the MASSQuito Coalition, NOFA/Mass and MAPN worked to get support for this bill filed by Senator Jo Comerford and Representative Kathleen LaNatra. The bill aims to replace the Commonwealth’s outdated and expensive mosquito management system with one that is more effective, affordable, transparent, ecologically responsible, and scientifically based. We are delighted that it moved out of the ENR committee with a favorable vote.
What you can do now:
Contact your representatives and thank them for their support of these bills, and ask for their continued support as the bills make their way through the legislative process.
Stay tuned for future action alerts about these and other pesticide bills!
Action Alert: Mosquito Spraying Opt-Out
ave you opted out of mosquito spraying for 2024? Now’s a great time to do so – even if you’re not in a mosquito spray district!
Opting out gives MDAR more data about how widespread opposition to these programs are.
The opt-out only lasts through December 31st each calendar year, so you’ll need to renew every year. Go to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources site to learn more and to opt out.
Be cautious about signing up for private mosquito and tick control. The companies may tell you it’s safe or EPA approved, but there is little understanding about the dangers of these poisons and even less regulation.
Beyond Pesticides has great resources for mosquito control without pesticides.
NOFA/Mass News
Welcome to NOFA/Mass’s newest policy team member, Randy Violette! |
Randy joins NOFA/Mass after spending several years working on small, regenerative farms from Oregon to Massachusetts. He came to farming from a love of cooking and a sense of duty to care for the land, and quickly fell in love with the farming community, soil health, and the intersection of agriculture and all elements of social justice.
In addition to working on a local farm, Randy is currently a graduate student in the UMass School of Public Policy.
Randy will be working as a Climate-Smart Technical Assistance Provider as well as Policy Coordinator. Randy looks forward to working with farmers to mitigate and adapt to climate change while also supporting their farm businesses and local food systems.
