Farm workers and pesticides: the first line of defence

Abstract

Government regulation of agricultural chemicals provides farm workers with their first line of defence against hazardous pesticide exposure. However, the recent decision to re-register the organophosphate insecticide Mevinphos, despite its undisputed toxicity, suggests major gaps in that defence. It raises two broad concerns about the present regulatory framework for registering pesticides for use on Australian farms. First, it suggests the potential for conflict between the regulatory goals of ensuring farmers' access to a range of pesticides and protecting the health of agricultural workers. Second, it suggests that registration of agricultural chemicals may be based on underestimates of the real extent of farm workers' hazardous exposure.