For Immediate Release: October 20, 2003

Contact:
Aimee Code, 541-344-5044 ext 27
Laura Weiss, 503-222-1963, ext 111
Brad Witt, 503-224-3169, ext 313
Maureen Kirk, 503-231-4181, ext 306

Representatives of labor, consumer, and environmental groups expressed dismay today at the Oregon Department of Agriculture's announcement that the agency would stop collecting pesticide registration fees designed to fund Oregon's pesticide use reporting system. The fees, paid by pesticide manufacturers and authorized by the 1999 pesticide tracking law, total $360,000 a year.

"We're really confused by the Kulongoski administration's actions regarding pesticide tracking," said Laura Weiss of the Oregon Environmental Council. "On the one hand, the Governor has said on multiple occasions that he is committed to pesticide tracking, yet on the other hand, all of the administration's actions are setting us backwards. So the real question is, what is the Governor's strategy for ensuring implementation of the pesticide tracking program."

The pesticide reporting law, passed 88-2 by the 1999 Oregon Legislature, requires all commercial pesticide applicators to report information about their pesticide use. It would provide the public with information about what is sprayed on playgrounds, parks, roadsides, and in urban buildings, as well as in agriculture. While reporting was required to begin on January 1, 2002, the program has been repeatedly delayed and no data have yet been made available.

"This popular law is still on the books and we expect ODA to enforce the law using all means, and funds, available to it," said Aimee Code of the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides. "The administration seems to be turning its back on this much-needed program designed to protect public health and the environment."

"In this tough budget climate, I can't believe the state would turn money away, giving it back to large pesticide companies instead of using it to protect the safety of our drinking water, and of workers who use and are exposed to pesticides," said Brad Witt of the AFL-CIO.

The broad coalition supporting the program, known as the Oregon Pesticide Education Network, are mulling next steps, and have requested a face to face meeting with Governor Kulongoski.

"During his campaign and during the Legislative session, Governor Kulongoski repeatedly said that he is committed to this important program. He even went so far as to issue a letter criticizing lack of funding for the program instead of signing ODA's budget, because it did not include funding for the program. Now it is clear there is money ear-marked for the program, so we'll be asking him to ensure it moves forward," explained Maureen Kirk, Executive Director of Oregon State Public Interest Research Group.

Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Use Reporting System