Trump is being asked to ban the use of a number of pesticides in agricultural production

The US Center for Biological Diversity has called on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the US Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency to “halt the use of highly toxic pesticides in US food.”

The petition seeks to ban the use of atrazine, neonicotinoids, glyphosate, and organophosphates in food production on farms growing crops for human consumption. Previously, Kennedy claimed that these pesticides contribute to chronic health issues, the Center noted. However, the petition does not seek additional restrictions on pesticide use for crops grown for animal feed or biofuel production.

“We urge President Trump to make America healthy again by eliminating highly toxic pesticides from our food. It is outrageous that giant corporations like ChemChina, the producer of atrazine, are allowed to profit billions while contaminating our food and water with extremely hazardous chemicals. The good news is that this worsening crisis can be solved. Our petition offers the new administration a plan of action that can be implemented immediately to ensure food safety,” said Lori Ann Burd, Environmental Health Director at the Center for Biological Diversity.

The Center also pointed to Trump’s remarks that the US spends “billions and billions of dollars on pesticides” compared to the European Union while having far worse health outcomes. The group noted that Trump promised his administration would “ensure that everyone is protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, and pesticides.” Last week, Trump signed an executive order establishing the “Make America Healthy Again” commission, chaired by Kennedy, to assess the risks posed by excessive use of certain chemicals and other environmental threats to children’s health.

The Center emphasized that over a quarter of pesticides used in the US today are banned in the European Union, Brazil, and China. The petition also calls for stronger federal oversight to ensure that imported food is not contaminated with pesticides banned in the US, which often enter American markets due to weak inspection and enforcement measures. “President Trump must put an end to foreign corporations exploiting weak US pesticide regulations to maximize profits at the expense of public health,” the petition states. Advocates argue that past administrations, both Democratic and Republican, have been too hesitant to challenge the powerful agribusiness sector, but they hope this administration will take bold action to end mass poisoning and improve the nation’s health.

Tags: USA, restrictions