For Immediate Release For
More Information:
June
19, 2000 Audrey
Thier EPL/EA (518) 462-5526 ext. 236
Laura Haight NYPIRG (518) 436-0876
ext. 258
ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS PRAISE DEAL ON PESTICIDE NEIGHBOR NOTIFICATION
(Albany) EPL/Environmental Advocates and NYPIRG have
learned that a deal has been struck between the New York State Assembly and
Senate on pesticide neighbor notification legislation. For the past three years, both organizations
have made passage of this legislation one of their top priorities, advocating
for 48 hours prior notice of commercial lawn applications to abutting neighbors
and 48 hours prior notice to parents before pesticides are applied in schools
and daycare centers. They have worked
closely with a wide range of breast cancer activists, public health and
children’s advocacy organizations, and concerned citizens across the state to
see this become a reality.
While
still awaiting the release of final language, it appears that the agreement
will be a major step forward, providing advance notice to parents across the
state of school and daycare center pesticide use, and allowing counties to
adopt lawn notification programs. “This
is a great stride in the right direction, enabling New Yorkers to protect
themselves from unwitting exposure to toxic pesticides,” said Audrey Thier,
Pesticide Project Director at EPL/Environmental Advocates. “We applaud the
perseverance of Assemblyman Thomas P. DiNapoli, who has championed this cause
over the long haul and carried a bill supported by more than 50 public interest
organizations, and of Senator Carl Marcellino, who faced a difficult, uphill
battle to see this enacted in his own house.”
Advocates also made particular note of Senator Kenneth LaValle’s efforts
to push for this during the crucial past few weeks when action in the Senate
appeared stalled.
Although advocates had been pushing for lawn
notification requirements to be a mandate statewide, as the school notification
requirements will be, they stated that they will work to ensure that this
program is extended to all New Yorkers by right in the future. “This is the
beginning of a new era in pesticide awareness and of our efforts to see
counties across the state adopt these provisions and, eventually establish them
by right for all New Yorkers,” said Laura Haight, Senior Environmental
Associate at NYPIRG. “Of course, we hope that in the near future, such
awareness will effect a shift away from toxic pesticides and toward sensible,
safe approaches to lawn care. Our
children’s health should not be traded for a weed-free yard.”
EPL/Environmental Advocates and NYPIRG will push for
early signing of the legislation by Governor Pataki.
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