6 Comments

Thank you for bringing this story to our attention!

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There must be something about the “breakdown” of these toxic pesticides that makes it essentially “everlasting”. Proper regulatory overview seems to be less and less possible every year.

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What's amazing is the "farmers'" willful ignorance of their destruction of their own land. Even if they can someday somehow sell when no further profit is possible, where do they think they can go? My guess is that the toxins the "farmers" apply are affecting their ability to think. I suffered Permethrin poisoning at a low level, but it was enough to cause a minor vehicle collision. Instantly, I suspected the reason for my impaired thinking. I asked the suspect rancher how he controlled internal and external parasites in his cattle. He told me that he uses Ivermectin to control internal parasites, but he doesn't slaughter until at least 60 days after treatment. He uses a slow-release insecticide, such as permethrin, that particular season, to control external parasites, including face flies, back flies, and foot flies. The permethrin is in the ear tags attached to the cattle ears where the insecticide is released slowly to kill the flies. The poison, via inhalation and also water when the steer drinks, and through the hide, gets into the meat . The flies develop resistance to any insecticide in one season so the rancher, according to the manufacturer, must use a different insecticide, such as an organophosphate, each new season in an arms race that never ends as long as the rancher believes what the manufacturers write. I quit that rancher. We can and must be our own regulators, getting to know our farmers and ranchers personally, to the greatest extent possible, asking questions and getting verifiable answers. Please just do it! I've been reading gardening and farming books and magazines about organically grown and raised edibles and wearables for over 50 years, but that wasn't enough to prevent my being poisoned. Never give up in your quest for better health.

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I was just in Nebraska to witness the Sandhill Crane migration. What struck me were the miles and miles of corn stubble, blowing dust from bare soil, ethanol plants and the stench from feedlots. Oh, and a Cargill sign. I spoke with a local vintner who told me he loses ~25% of his grape crop each year due to pesticide-related loss of pollinators. Tragic.

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Surprised to hear potentially contaminated material being used as “soil conditioner”…

A lot of moderate - highly toxic pesticides (neonics would definitively fit), or ones with a long half-life prohibit material containing pesticide residue(s) from being used as “soil conditioner”, mulch, etc., specifically to prevent non-target site contamination. I’ll look at a some neonic labels to see if/what language exists.

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Mar 31, 2022
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I'm impressed by Carey's like of this comment!

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