(Beyond Pesticides, June 8, 2026) When the Trump administration announced that it was shutting U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Beltsville, Maryland, U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD) released the following statement: “This is a betrayal of American farmers, and an attack on the federal workforce that will severely damage services that the American people depend on. We are disappointed but not surprised that the Trump administration is continuing its attacks on the federal workforce, this time through wasting taxpayer dollars to relocate key USDA facilities. Let us be clear: these haphazard, unlawful relocations do not save taxpayer dollars or improve agency efficiency. We’ve seen this tactic before, and we know that it only results in brain drain, crushed morale, and cuts to vital programs American farmers depend on. We will continue to stand up for the dedicated federal workers who provide critical services to our nation as they navigate these relocations, mass firings, and the administration’s continued attacks on the civil service.” In the face of this action, which is now taking place, Beyond Pesticides has released an action to tell Congress and USDA to preserve the Beltsville agricultural research facilities that support farming and […]

(Beyond Pesticides, June 5, 2026) With increasing research covered by Daily News showing pesticides linked to epigenetic effects (alter gene expression), the mechanism has far-reaching implications for protecting health and the environment. It also raises issues related to the regulatory review process, which is inadequate in assessing this mechanism. Since the discovery of DNA, a principle called the “central dogma” has dominated genetics. This dogma states that genetic processes are a one-way street: only changes to DNA in germ cells (eggs and sperm) trigger processes in RNA and then proteins to effect changes in tissues and cells throughout the body. Any suggestion that environmental exposures, for example, could alter gene expression except in the first, exposed generation, was dismissed as “Lamarckian” and unscientific. And only changes to genes themselves could be inherited. The theory of epigenetics began developing in the 1950s, and it gradually became clear that gene expression was modifiable by external factors. Cells do have numerous ways of choreographing genes, determining which ones are turned on and off at which times and in which places. In fact, this choreography is absolutely necessary for the development of an individual from pre-conception through fertilization and the progress of an embryo to […]

(Beyond Pesticides, June 4, 2026) In a study published in Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation, researchers in Brazil find that organic farming coupled with agroecological conservation practices “promote[s] biodiversity in agricultural landscapes.” The proxy for biodiversity in this study is anurans, a type of frog or toad native to the Brazilian Pampa—a section of the South American Pampas grasslands, a globally underrecognized biodiversity hotspot. According to a scientific report reviewed by Mongabay in 2024, “nearly a third of the Brazilian portion…has been lost since 1985, largely to agricultural expansion and forestry plantations.” In the U.S. context, public health and environmental advocates continue to call for the transition to organic land management as a solution that validates the ecosystem services that biodiversity-forward agricultural systems can provide under values-aligned stewardship. Methodology and Main Findings The authors in this study, researchers at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, surveyed 26 artificial ponds across 16 family farms with different land management systems—9 organic farms and 7 conventional farms—located in the Serra do Sudeste region of the Brazilian portion of the Pampa grasslands. All farms were sampled three times during the 2023 to 2024 breeding seasons (twice in the October to November 2023 […]

(Beyond Pesticides, June 2, 2026) “Show me what democracy looks like; this is what democracy looks like” is a common chant at rallies across the United States and worldwide when people come out to express their outrage at the complacency of the political system to address current societal hardships and inequities. On the eve of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the state of U.S. politics has become especially divisive and polarized. One area of agreement, however, that continues to break through the fractious political climate was on display recently in South Carolina, when the state’s House of Representatives unanimously passed a House Resolution encouraging local communities to transition to organic land management across the state earlier this spring. This action serves as one signal among many of widespread agreement that the protection of people and the environment from pesticides has bipartisan support. Passed in March, H.5305 was introduced by William G. “Bill” Herbkersman (R) and cosponsored by a bipartisan group of over 100 House members. State Representative Herbkersman is chair of the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee. The Resolution seeks to “encourage counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions of the State, including school districts” to establish […]

(Beyond Pesticides, June 1, 2026) In the face of U.S. government inaction, the California state Assembly last week passed legislation to phase out existing agricultural uses and ban new uses of PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) pesticides. The legislation, AB 1603, which accurately defines PFAS pesticides in accordance with international standards, does allow continued residential, school and park, playing field, and community PFAS pesticide use (including mosquito spraying). The bill now moves on to the state Senate. While advocates say the bill is an important step forward, they point out that the legislation is one of many examples that compromises public and environmental health, as pesticide-associated cancer, degenerative diseases, multigenerational effects, and ecosystem decline escalate. This attack on health and the environment is happening at the same time that organic agriculture and land management prohibits the use of PFAS pesticides and all the petrochemical pesticides and fertilizers with profitable and cost-effective practices. The California victory paves the way for state action as regulators at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) refuse to act on clear scientific findings identifying devastating health and environmental threats. In this context, the bill serves as a call for all states to push for this type of legislation […]

(Beyond Pesticides, May 29, 2026) In a new study published in Environmental Pollution, researchers detected 15 currently used pesticides (CUPs)—including 10 pesticide compounds detected but not applied within the study’s managed fields— in the pollen of beehives in an environment meant to reflect a typical honey bee foraging range. The detection of pesticides that were not directly applied within the study’s target radius demonstrates the pervasiveness of pesticide drift into soils, streams, and bodies. In this context, public health and environmental advocates continue to call for a wholesale transition to organic land management. The findings are particularly concerning given the toxicity hazards to honey bees associated with pesticide exposure in this study and bolstered by other studies, resulting in documented threats to their health—as reviewed in this Daily News below. Methodology and Background Researchers at the University of Bern and Agroscope, the Swiss government’s agricultural research arm, conducted this research with agricultural land-use data for 2023 and 2024 from the Zurich (provincial/Canton) government. The study area was defined as a 2-kilometer radius around the hive placement site, with 4 active hives over the course of a two-year period (April 10, 2023, through May 3, 2024). The land use within the […]

(Beyond Pesticides, May 28, 2026) Researchers from France and Germany, as published in Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, find that declines in bird populations are strongly linked to their diets, with insectivorous birds experiencing the greatest impacts. “Overall, our results emphasize the strong association between insecticide use and insectivorous bird declines,” the authors state. They continue: “We found a consistent negative association between insecticide use and population trends of insectivorous birds, the most abundant group, regardless of migration strategy. This pattern suggests indirect effects linked to the depletion of insects as a food source.” In analyzing bird population trends in France over 15 years and comparing bird responses across diets and pesticide types, this study highlights the negative association between insect population declines and insectivorous bird population declines that are linked to agricultural intensification. Study Background The impacts of pesticides on birds, as described on Beyond Pesticides’ resource page, can occur through various routes of exposure. Birds can be exposed to pesticides directly through ingestion of seeds that have been treated with pesticides, or indirectly through consumption of small insects and other animals that have ingested the pesticides themselves, leading to secondary poisonings of the birds. They can also be indirectly […]

(Beyond Pesticides, May 27, 2026) In a perspective analysis published in Frontiers in Agronomy, researchers at the University of Nebraska and Serbia’s Maize Research Institute point out the growing availability of organic-compatible herbicide controls (referred to as bioherbicides) as an opportunity to “complement crop diversification and improve soil health, they may serve as a foundational component of agroecological cropping systems, driving a transition toward reduced external inputs and strengthening essential ecosystem services for long-term sustainability.” The researchers distinguish between biopesticides based on their mode of action, regulatory status, including whether they are compliant to federal organic standards as defined under Organic Food Production Act (OFPA), the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, and guidance from the National Organic Program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The article references biopesticides listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), which undertakes its own review process contingent on three core factors, according to the authors: Must not be prohibited on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, as defined here; Manufacturing process does not include prohibited methods (genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, etc.); and All ingredients are compliant with organic standards and do not have any prohibited contaminants (contamination of crops, […]

(Beyond Pesticides, May 26, 2026) Earlier this month, with global attention focused on 12 known or suspected cases of hantavirus, including three deaths, on a cruise ship expedition in the South Atlantic, issues of rodent management, vector control, and disease transmission have made headlines around the world. The incident raises important questions about rodent biology, identification of virus location, method of disease transmission, cleaning practices, and ultimately control and prevention measures that are not harmful to people, wildlife, and ecosystems. The incident also shines a spotlight on the critical importance of the United States’ collaboration in international organizations, particularly the World Health Organization (WHO), in a world of international travel (18 on the ship live in the U.S.), where transmissible diseases extend beyond countries’ borders. With the Trump Administration defunding international programs and withdrawing from WHO, most medical experts agree that the world and U.S. residents are at heightened threat from transmissible diseases that move throughout the world. (See U.S. Abandons International Collaboration on Existential Health Challenges at Time When Most Needed.) In this context, Beyond Pesticides has launched a local campaign to Tell local officials to use good sanitation and management to prevent rodent problems and not use hazardous […]

(Beyond Pesticides, May 22, 2026) On Memorial Day, those who served and died in the armed forces are remembered for their ultimate sacrifice. And the victims of war are memorialized. Of critical note are the effects of war, that extend beyond the battlefield to those who return home or remain in the aftermath with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and ultimately take their lives by suicide, as well as those exposed to deadly chemicals that caused premature death. A 2022 study finds, “ VA [Veteran Affairs] patients with current or past diagnosis of PTSD have been found to have an unadjusted rate of 50.7 deaths by suicide per 100,000 person years of risk, compared to a rate of 13.2 in the general adult population.” This statistic can be evaluated in the context of a recent observational cohort study to be in print in August 2026 that focuses on exposure to toxic substances and suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) through the analysis of data from 248,926 U.S. veterans enrolled in the Million Veteran Program (MVP). In comparing self-reported exposures to nine toxicants, including Agent Orange, chemical/biological weapons, anthrax vaccine, solvents/fuels, petroleum combustion products, lead, other metals, pesticides, and open-air burn pits, and […]

(Beyond Pesticides, May 21, 2026) An important study by cancer researchers in Barcelona, Spain at once shows a path forward in illuminating the long-term, multi-generational, health damage from pesticide exposures and demonstrates how extraordinarily dilatory U.S. agricultural regulators are in protecting public health. The study, “Epigenetic fingerprints link early-onset colon and rectal cancer to pesticide exposure,” found a robust association between methylation markers (for gene expression associated with cancer) and exposure to a number of pesticides, with the herbicide picloram having the strongest link. Other pesticides with strong associations include the weedkillers atrazine, glyphosate, nicosulfuron, and insecticide esfenvalerate. Colon cancer is expected to double, and rectal cancer to quadruple, in this young age group by 2030. This sharp contrast between age groups suggests that environmental exposures, rather than strictly genetics, are involved. The authors are concerned with the alarming rise in early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) not only in the highly developed world but also in less-industrialized countries. This increase appears to be connected with age cohorts and the differences in lifestyle and environmental exposures between older and younger cohorts. According to a commentary on the study by researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, in the U.S., the incidence of colorectal […]

(Beyond Pesticides, May 19, 2026) Research continues to mount on organically managed systems, reinforcing the importance of fostering soil health to ultimately reduce dependency on increasingly expensive petrochemical pesticides and fertilizers, ultimately making food more affordable. Research published in Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition determines that long-term organic management enhances various soil health indicators to a greater degree than conventionally managed systems. The organic soil qualities include greater microbial diversity, increased microbial biomass carbon (MBC), higher dehydrogenase activity (DHA), and higher alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), among other favorable outcomes. The positive impacts of organic land management on soil health, microbial diversity, and biodiversity cannot be overstated, given the existential threats imposed on the planet by petrochemical-based agricultural practices. Methodology and Main Findings This study was conducted at the Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI) in Rajasthan province, India. The annual average rainfall for this region is 100 mm (about 4 inches) and 450 mm (18 inches), with nearly 90 percent of that rainfall falling between June and September. Both the organic and conventional sites consist of loamy soils and shared agro-climatic conditions. The organic site was established in 2008 and certified by the Rajasthan State Organic Certification Study, […]

(Beyond Pesticides, May 18, 2026) As the studies continue to mount on the adverse effects of exposure to low levels of organophosphate insecticides, the calls for banning the chemicals are growing. Beyond Pesticides announced an action to “Tell Congress, FDA, and EPA that it is past time to stop the manufacture and use of all organophosphate pesticides, which damage the nervous system and brain at low levels.” There are alternatives to these chemicals that support productive and profitable farming operations. Defying the often-repeated claim that organophosphate pesticide effects occur only at high doses, a recent study by researchers at University of California, San Diego, and the Fundación Cimas del Ecuador in Quito, Ecuador, establishes for the first time the pattern of adverse developmental effects that low-level exposure has on healthy neurological and brain development in children. It is firmly established that widely used organophosphate pesticides in food production and other sites are severely toxic to a broad range of organisms. In what is known as their “classic” mechanism of action, they inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), particularly in neuromuscular junctions in the brain. Organophosphates are nerve agents, originally developed by the German company IG Farben (a […]

(Beyond Pesticides, May 14, 2026) In a new report by Friends of the Earth, federal organic standards as defined by the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) are identified as a bedrock “Threshold Program” with high minimum standards that combine three core features—synthetic pesticide and fertilizer prohibitions, soil health requirements, and third-party verification and enforcement systems. In other words, the review of thirteen regenerative and regenerative organic labels and enforcement systems must be built on enforceable standards. This criterion is foundational to the growth of the U.S. organic sector to over $76.6 billion in domestic sales in 2025, expanding at a pace nearly twice the rate of growth (6.8 percent) compared to the national agricultural sector more broadly (3.4 percent). Main Findings The report focuses on the principles of 13 different regenerative labeling and certification systems on the market, including a comparison of federal organic standards and the U.S. National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The main findings and features of the report include: “Truly regenerative agriculture must phase out dependency on agrochemicals that undermine the very ecological functions on which resilience depends.” The various “regenerative” agriculture labels currently on the market are significantly varied in terms of pesticide and fertilizer restrictions […]

(Beyond Pesticides, May 12, 2026) Research published in Microbiological Research finds that organic farming enhances microbial diversity in citrus orchard soil systems, both in terms of nutrient cycling and aiding in the development of more complex microbial networks pivotal to biodiversity. This comes as no surprise to organic, public health, and biodiversity advocates who have tracked the scientific literature on soil health and human health benefits of organic land management systems. Methodology and Results The international research team for the study engaged in a comparative field study of 15 commercial citrus orchards in Sicily, including 7 organic fields and 8 chemical-intensive, conventional fields, with the prime objective of assessing the role of the farming system, as well as environmental and agronomic factors, on soil microbiome structure and function. They collected 75 samples in summer (June-July 2021) and winter (December 2021-January 2022) periods, with 150 soil samples collected in total. In each orchard, 5 trees were randomly selected, with 4 soil “cores” pooled into one composite sample per tree at a depth of roughly 20-30 centimeters to assess interactions with tree roots and at a distance of 40-100 centimeters from the tree trunk. The researchers assessed water content (pH levels), total […]

(Beyond Pesticides, May 11, 2026) As studies stack up on adverse synergistic effects of chemical mixtures, serious deficiencies in the regulatory review of pesticides have come into sharp focus. As the hazards are shown to escalate and the regulatory review process is shown to fall short, public health advocates are telling Congress, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Health and Human Services that they must consider the effects of pesticides in the context in which they are used and with reference to the organic alternative.  A recent study in Toxics reviewed the current literature on pesticides, microplastics, or metal exposure in combination with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates, finding that PFAS can modify, including intensify, the toxicity of co-occurring pollutants.   A commentary in Frontiers in Toxicology, by  Maricel Maffini, PhD, and Laura Vandenberg, PhD,  notes, “Current approaches also rely on the assumption that testing chemicals one at a time is appropriate to understand how chemicals act under real-world conditions. Numerous mixture studies, including ones that demonstrated cumulative effects, have disproven this assumption.”   As noted by the naturalist, writer, and conservationist John Muir, known as the “Father of the National Parks,” and those before and after him, including the English poet John Donne, […]

(Beyond Pesticides, May 8, 2026)  A study from Ecuador establishes for the first time the developmental pattern of nervous system toxicants—still widely used in agriculture, mosquito control, and landscaping—on healthy neurological and brain development in children. It is firmly established that widely used organophosphate pesticides are severely toxic to a broad range of organisms. In what’s known as their “classic” mechanism of action, they inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), particularly in neuromuscular junctions in the brain. Not enough AChE leads to a buildup of ACh in motor neurons. Organophosphates deplete AChE, and an acute dose can paralyze the heart and lung muscles, causing death. Chronic exposures are implicated in numerous neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Beyond Pesticides’ Gateway on Pesticide Hazards and Safe Pest Management has detailed information on the organophosphates malathion, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and others. Acetylcholine and AChE are vital biological chemicals conserved across the animal kingdom, from humans to insects and everything in between. Yet there is no established baseline for normal levels of ACh and AChE in humans. Comparing biomarkers of organochlorine exposure with normal values would be a major step forward in assessing the influence […]

(Beyond Pesticides, May 5, 2026) In a literature review of peer-reviewed research published in Cambridge University publication Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, researchers at Institute for Applied Agriculture Research (Germany) and Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems (Arizona State University, USA) determine that organically managed systems have better performance indicators under climate-induced stressors, emit less nitrous oxide emissions, increase overall soil organic carbon, and reduce overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The researchers also point out the potential socio-ecological benefits of organic management systems, including their potential for building local and regional food systems. On the eve of the Spring National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meeting in the United States, advocates continue to call for a wholesale transition to organic and for the immediate appointment of five Board members, who the U.S. Department of Agriculture has failed to seat to fill vacancies, representing farmers, consumers, and an organic certifier. Main Findings This literature review is a follow-up to a 2010 literature review that evaluates the climate mitigation and adaptation potential of organic agriculture based on new science from 2010 to 2025. The research is derived from meta-analyses, peer-reviewed studies, and global reports published by sources such as the Intergovernmental Panel on […]

(Beyond Pesticides, May 4, 2026) Attention shifts to the U.S. Senate after the U.S. House of Representatives last week (April 30) passed a Farm Bill. In a bipartisan vote thought unthinkable just over a month ago when the House Agriculture Committee passed its Farm Bill, Democratic members of Congress, joined by 73 Republicans, stripped from the bill three chemical-industry authored provisions that would have severely weakened pesticide law on a vote of 280 to 142. The final bill, H.R. 7567—Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, which is unacceptable to farm, farmworker, food, and environmental advocates, passed the House on a vote of 224 to 200. (See here for the vote tally.) The Chair of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, Senator John Boozman (R-AR) pointed to the House bill as “bipartisan” and a “significant achievement.” Fourteen Democrats voted for the House bill and three Republicans voted against the legislation, which has been widely referred to as a Republican bill since it was written by Republican lawmakers without input from Democrats. It is not clear whether Sen. Boozman will move ahead with bipartisan negotiations on Senate Farm Bill language.   Beyond Pesticides, along with environmental, farm, farmworker, and consumer groups, is calling […]

(Beyond Pesticides, April 30, 2026) On April 27, 2026, advocates—including Beyond Pesticides—from across the political spectrum came together in front of the U.S. Supreme Court to speak out against the chemical industry campaign, led by Bayer/Monsanto, the Trump administration, and Republican lawmakers, to shield chemical manufacturers from liability for failing to warn people who have been harmed by their pesticides. Their multi-pronged strategy targets the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Congress, and state legislatures. The question of the public’s right to sue chemical manufacturers that do not warn of product hazards was heard before the Supreme Court, as Monsanto argued that people who have been diagnosed with cancer after using the weed killer glyphosate should be prohibited from suing the company for failing to warn on the product label. The chemical manufacturer argued in Monsanto v. Durnell that federal registration of a pesticide preempts legal rights afforded to people under state law under U.S. federalism. The chemical industry is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse decades of jurisprudence and shield manufacturers from liability associated with those who are harmed but not warned about pesticide adverse effects like cancer, neurological or immunological conditions, reproductive dysfunction, and other chronic illnesses. Highlighted Quotes […]

(Beyond Pesticides, April 29, 2026) A study published in Environmental Technology & Innovation finds that organically managed coconut farms significantly improve soil health across numerous markers when compared with conventional (chemical-intensive) plantations. This comes as no surprise to public health and environmental advocates, including farmers, who have seen firsthand the importance of transitioning to land management systems that are in sync with nature. Methodology and Results The research took place in Ben Tre Province of Vietnam across 12 organically managed farms in Mo Cay Nam and 12 chemical-intensive farms in Mo Cay Bac. The organic farms were managed under organic criteria for at least three years, while the conventional farms had been under chemical-intensive farming practices for over 20 years, including synthetic fertilizers and the use of various herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. Ten soil samples were collected and combined into composite soil samples across all 4 farms. Soil analyses were conducted for microbial life as well as physical and chemical properties. Physical properties include bulk density and soil porosity to assess soil compaction, aeration, and water retention. Chemical properties include pH levels, nutrients (ammonium, nitrate, phosphorus, potassium), as well as soil organic matter (SOM). In terms of the microbial analysis, […]

(Beyond Pesticides, April 27, 2026) The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)—a stakeholder board created by Congress to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on organic standards under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and manage the list of allowed materials in organic production, is accepting public input  through May 4, 2026. Today, April 27, is the final day to sign up for oral comments that will be received on a May 5 and 7 webinar.  For a complete discussion on all the issues before the NOSB, see Keeping Organic Strong and the Spring 2026 Beyond Pesticides’ issues webpage. The NOSB meeting is taking place at a time when the Trump administration has been dismantling government programs and defied a Congressional mandate to replace board members whose terms expired in January.  While the remaining board members continue to meet, the Secretary of Agriculture has left empty five appointees to the board—creating an imbalance that violates a statutory mandate to ensure that the board membership reflects the range of voices and perspectives that are important to the viability and growth of the organic sector—a sustainable alternative to chemical-intensive agriculture reliant of petrochemical pesticides and fertilizers. The terms of five board members that expired in January have […]

(Beyond Pesticides, April 23, 2026) “Fully organic growers face fewer agronomic challenges as compared to mixed growers,” according to a recent analysis published in Agricultural Systems by researchers at the University of California. The authors cite a slowing growth rate for organic certification and new organic farms, despite an increase in consumer demand. A 2025 Organic Trade Association (OTA) report shows organic market product sales at $76.6 billion with an annual growth rate of 6.8 percent—double that of the non-organic marketplace (3.4 percent). On the eve of the 2026 National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) spring meeting to review organic standards and update the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, public health and environmental advocates, and members of the broader regenerative organic movement, will gather. The Board convenes twice a year to vote on key issues that are under review and have been subject to public hearings and comments, intended to ensure organic integrity and expansion. Methodology and Results The researchers combined quantitative and qualitative data from a survey and a set of interviews, respectively, with organic farmers in the state of California. For the survey, 426 certified organic farmers in California responded to questions asking “growers to report on […]