California lawmakers drop proposal to bar PFAS pesticides on farms

A proposal by Assemblymember Nick Schultz to ban pesticides that contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) was defeated by the California Senate, which voted for an amended version that merely adds those chemicals to a state database. Farm representatives contended that an outright ban would push food imports from other states and limit access to next-generation crop-protection tools, whereas environmental groups highlighted the persistence and health risks of PFAS.

Governor Gavin Newsom previously vetoed broader PFAS restrictions on consumer products over cost concerns, but the state has enacted bans on PFAS in food packaging and firefighting foam. Studies cited by the EPA link certain PFAS exposure to fertility issues, developmental delays, and cancer, though most compounds remain untested. The Environmental Working Group’s report found PFAS residues in a large share of California produce, prompting calls for tighter oversight. Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Anna Caballero framed pesticide regulation as a balancing act amid invasive pests, and the bill will be revisited in the next legislative session.