California: Tell Your State Lawmakers to Ban Monsanto’s Roundup Weedkiller!

On April 25, 2019, the California Assembly unanimously passed AB-916, a bill that would put a temporary moratorium on the use of glyphosatepreventing localities from using any pesticide that contains the active ingredient glyphosate until January 1, 2025.

This important bill could become law if it passes the California Senate in 2020.

Another bill, AB-468, introduced in 2019, would ban the use of Roundup at schools.

TAKE ACTION: Tell your state representatives to support bills (AB-916 and AB-468) to ban glyphosate use in public spaces and schools!

bottles of Monsantos glyphosate herbicide ROUNDUP on a store shelf

According to Baum Hedlund Law, on July 7, 2017, California became the first state in the nation to issue a warning on glyphosate by adding the chemical to the state’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals and substances known to cause cancer.

California’s decision to warn consumers about glyphosate was pursuant to the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, better known as California Proposition 65, a ballot initiative approved by voters in 1986 to address toxic chemical exposure concerns. Prop 65 requires California to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

In 2019, University of California President Janet Napolitano announced that glyphosate would be temporarily banned on all 10 UC campuses, citing “concerns about possible human health and ecological hazards, as well as potential legal and reputational risks associated with this category of herbicides.”

Dozens of California cities and towns already restrict or have banned the use of products that contain glyphosate:

• Alameda County, California – The East Bay Regional Park District, a special district operating regional parks in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, banned glyphosate around picnic and play areas effective July 2019. EBRPD plans to formally ban Roundup use in its parks by the end of 2020. EBRPD manages 73 parks and 55 miles of shoreline.

• Arcata, CaliforniaInitiated a pesticide reduction plan that urges pesticides to only be used as a last resort.

• Belvedere, California –  Passed a municipal ordinance initiating Integrated Pest Management program that restricts toxic pesticide use and urges pesticide use as last resort.

• Benicia, California City decided to go glyphosate-free following the verdict in Johnson v. Monsanto Co.

• Berkeley, CaliforniaImplemented pest management program to minimize or eliminate the use of pesticides. The city has not used glyphosate since the 1970s, according to spokesman Matthai Chakko.

• Burbank, CaliforniaCity Council members voted to discontinue the use of Roundup in city parks for one year, and Burbank Unified School District will no longer use the herbicide due to cancer concerns.

• Cambria, California – North Coast school board trustees formally proposed a ban on glyphosate for all school properties.

• Carlsbad, California – The City Council voted unanimously to adopt a policy that makes organic pesticides the preferred method for killing weeds. “Asked to choose between aesthetics and public health…I’m going to choose public health every time,” said Councilwoman Cori Schumacher.

•  Clayton, California Banned the use of Roundup on city property.

• Concord, CaliforniaThe Mount Diablo Unified School District unanimously voted to ban glyphosate use on school property.

• Contra Costa County, CaliforniaThe East Bay Regional Park District, a special district operating regional parks in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, banned glyphosate around picnic and play areas effective July 2019. EBRPD plans to formally ban Roundup use in its parks by the end of 2020. EBRPD manages 73 parks and 55 miles of shoreline.

• Corte Madera, CaliforniaPassed ordinance calling for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program restricting highly toxic pesticides, while also urging for pesticide use to be a last resort.

• Costa Mesa, CaliforniaCity council adopted an organics-first Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policy.

• Davis, California Passed ordinance implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program designed to reduce the use of pesticides. Some city parks do not allow the use of glyphosate.

• Encinitas, CaliforniaBanned the use of Roundup and other glyphosate-based weed killers in city parks.

• Fairfax, CaliforniaPassed municipal ordinance restricting use of toxic pesticides on public property in favor of alternative methods.

• Fresno, California – After hearing from concerned parents and employees, Fresno Unified School District is investigating the use of alternative herbicides that do not contain glyphosate, citing health risks.

• Greenfield, CaliforniaAdopted a resolution to “halt all use of the carcinogenic weed killer Roundup and replace it with ‘greener’ alternatives.”

• Irvine, California – City Council passed resolution to cease spraying Roundup and other chemicals on public parks, streets and playgrounds.

• Laguna Hills, CaliforniaPassed a resolution to test an organics-only pesticide program on two parks.

• Lodi, California –The city decided to ban the use of Roundup within 25 feet of playgrounds.

• Long Beach, California – Citing the landmark $289 million verdict in Johnson v. Monsanto Co., Long Beach Parks & Recreation Director Gerardo Mouet announced an immediate halt on the spraying of Roundup in Long Beach Parks.

• Los Angeles County, California – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors issued a moratorium on glyphosate-based herbicides, including Roundup weed killer. In July 2019, the LA County Board of Supervisors formally banned Roundup.

• Malibu, CaliforniaThe city may implement an Earth Friendly Management Policy (EFMP) to avoid the use of pesticides and other chemicals.

• Marin County, California –  The county stopped using glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer, on all county-maintained parks, landscaping, playgrounds, walkways and parking areas.

• Mill Valley, CaliforniaPassed ordinance initiating Integrated Pest Management program that restricts toxic pesticide use and urges pesticide use as last resort.

• Morgan Hill, CaliforniaInstituted a pilot program at a city park to assess the possibility of eliminating the use of herbicides.

• Napa, California – A policy announced in March of 2019 banned glyphosate use on city property, completing a phase-out campaign that started three years ago.

• Novato, California – Following the $289 million Monsanto verdict, Novato Mayor Josh Fryday said the city will no longer use Roundup weed killer.

• Oakland, California Passed ordinance initiating Integrated Pest Management program that restricts toxic pesticide use and promotes pesticide use as last resort. On Sept. 1, 2018, the city formally halted the use of Roundup. Alameda County is reviewing its chemical spraying practices.

• Orange County, California OC Parks banned the use of glyphosate on and around playgrounds, picnic shelters, trails and campgrounds. However, glyphosate remains in use on off-trail invasive weeds.

• Oxnard, California The Oxnard School District board voted to ban Roundup use on campuses.

• Palo Alto, CaliforniaPest management program calls for Integrated Pest Management that restricts pesticide use in favor of less harmful methods.

• Petaluma, California – City officials are considering a ban on glyphosate for use in public parks.

• Richmond, California – Issued an ordinance to ban the use of glyphosate for all weed abatement activities conducted by the city.

• San Anselmo, California Passed city resolution promoting an Integrated Pest Management program restricting the use of toxic pesticides. The program only allows pesticide use as a last resort.

• San Francisco, CaliforniaRestricts the use of toxic pesticides on public property in favor of alternative, organic methods.

• San Juan Capistrano, CaliforniaImplemented an organics-first policy to control weeds in city parks and open spaces.

• San Lorenzo Valley, California – The San Lorenzo Valley Water District voted 4-1 for a permanent ban of glyphosate pesticide use by the district.

• San Luis Obispo, California San Luis Coastal Unified School District banned all pesticides, including Roundup, on school properties in 2018. Coast Unified School District banned Roundup in the summer of 2019.

• Santa Barbara, California The Santa Barbara Unified School District Board of Education voted to ban glyphosate spraying at all district schools.

• Santa Rosa, CaliforniaBanned the use of Roundup at city parks.

• Sonoma, California Banned glyphosate use on all city-owned property.

• Thousand Oaks, California City instituted a ban on glyphosate use on public golf courses.

• Watsonville, CaliforniaCity council voted unanimously to ban Roundup use on city property.

• Woodland, California – Woodland Joint Unified School District suspended the use of Roundup on school campuses.

If these cities can protect their residents, why not the entire state?

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