Rural Vermont continues to collaborate with other organizations to strategically reduce the use, and impacts, of pesticides and other toxics in VT, within and without agriculture. Concern related to pesticides and their impacts on human and ecological health are significant in our communities. From an agricultural perspective, in order to make significant change we must work with farmers who rely on these products to financially and logistically support them finding alternatives and transitioning, and recognize that a primary barrier to a just transition is the policy and legal apparatus that has facilitated systemic inequity and loss of market share for farmers, has allowed these products to be sold commercially despite their dangers, as well as the consolidation and concentration of industry in the realms of seeds and pesticides and pharmaceuticals globally.
In recent years, RV worked with other organizations to advocate for legislation which made neonicotinoid pesticides “restricted use” (only can be applied by a licensed applicator), and legislation which requires the VT Agency of Agriculture and the Agricultural Innovation Board to develop rules and protocols which will reduce the allowance for the prophylactic use of neonicotinoid treated seeds agriculturally (by requiring pest thresholds and monitoring programs), and provide support for farmers transitioning (seed supply, etc.). In 2021, the Vermont Pesticide Advisory Council was replaced by the Agricultural Innovation Board - which is beginning its meetings in the Spring of 2022. This body will be working to address pesticides, plastics, and other toxics. Please be in touch with Graham@ruralvermont.org to share any of your ideas, thoughts or concerns.
