A bill that called for pesticide-free buffer zones around schools was watered down this week after Syngenta Seed Co. agreed to stop spraying near Waimea Canyon School through the end of the year. An amended version of the legislation —
A bill that called for pesticide-free buffer zones around schools was watered down this week after Syngenta Seed Co. agreed to stop spraying near Waimea Canyon School through the end of the year.
An amended version of the legislation — drafted last month by state Sen. Gary Hooser, D-Kaua‘i/Ni‘ihau, and approved yesterday by the Senate education and environment committees — requires a “working group on pesticide use in proximity to schools” and no longer mentions the buffer zones.
In a hand-delivered letter from Syngenta to Hooser Thursday, the GMO company said it would cease
pesticide spraying near the K-8 campus until Dec. 31.
Parents, teachers and community members have alleged that the chemicals are the cause of recent health problems for students and teachers.
Students and staff at the school have complained headaches, nausea and dizziness on multiple occasions since 2006, claiming the pesticides sprayed on Field 809 adjacent to the school were to blame.
However, officials cited cleome gynandra, or stinkweed, as the cause of the illnesses.
Hooser introduced Senate Bill 3170 last month, a few days before a group of students and teachers were sent to the emergency room.
Though the bill received opposition from various agricultural organizations throughout the state, negotiations have been taking place in an attempt to reach an amended version.
The bill has not yet been scheduled for a final vote on the Senate floor.
“While I am somewhat disappointed we did not achieve our goal of establishing pesticide-free buffer zones around all schools statewide, I am very pleased that Syngenta Seeds has come to the table, recognized the seriousness of our communities’ concerns and agreed to stop spraying,” Hooser said in a statement.
In the letter, Jeff Cox, president of NAFTA Seeds, said the company will continue to irrigate, fertilize and cultivate Field 809 until bringing it to harvest in the coming months.
“In spite of the adverse yield impacts to our crop that will result from our inability to effectively control pests, we will not spray pesticides on that field and, following the upcoming harvest, will discontinue cultivation of the field through Dec. 31, 2008,” Cox stated.
“We hope that this decision assists in restoring community perspective and opportunities to work together on identifying the cause of the odors and resulting illness.”
• Rachel Gehrlein, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or rgehrlein@kauaipubco.com.
