Different social, environmental, and rural organizations in La Pampa have reiterated their demand to urgently regulate the Pesticides Law.
This refers to Law N° 3288, passed in 2020 but still not effectively implemented.
The regulation, which establishes a framework to regulate the use of pesticides in the territory of La Pampa, has remained unregulated over three years after its approval.
Pesticides Law: the demand for health and environment
The demand was driven by the Multisectoral Stop Poisoning Us, comprised of affected communities, teachers, health professionals, and agroecological producers.
The organization warned about the serious consequences of the indiscriminate use of pesticides and agrochemicals in rural and peri-urban areas.
They pointed out that the massive use of herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides poses a real threat to public health, biodiversity, and the quality of soil and water.
The consequences of pesticides.
Additionally, they highlighted that the law establishes the need to define environmental protection areas, promote good agricultural practices, and carry out effective controls on the ground and aerial application of chemical products.
“The law was passed with broad consensus, but without regulation, it is dead letter. We demand that the State guarantee the right to live in a healthy environment,” they stated in a public statement.
What does La Pampa’s Pesticides Law establish?
Provincial Law N° 3288 proposes a comprehensive regulation of pesticide use in the agricultural sector. Among its key points, it includes:
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Establishment of protection zones without spraying near schools, homes, and watercourses.
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Mandatory registration of applicators and equipment.
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Mandatory training for those handling agrochemicals.
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Creation of an advisory council with participation from different sectors.
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Promotion of sustainable production models and alternatives to agrochemicals.
However, due to the absence of the regulatory decree, none of these articles can be concretely implemented, leaving a legal void in the face of the advance of intensive agriculture.
An urgent call to action
The organizations urged Governor Sergio Ziliotto to move forward with the immediate regulation of the law, highlighting that the impacts of pesticide use are already visible in many rural communities.
They noted that respiratory, dermatological issues, and problems in wildlife are already being recorded.
They also requested more “transparency in decision-making“, citizen participation, and a transition to agroecological production models, less dependent on chemical inputs.
They demand the regulation of the Pesticides Law in La Pampa.
In a context where the use of pesticides in Argentina continues to grow, La Pampa’s case adds to a national demand for effective environmental regulations that prioritize public health and ecosystem protection.
