Bill leans on pesticide permits

The Legislature could soon pass a bill that would revoke farmers' pesticide licenses if they don't participate in regional water-quality programs.

AB2595, by Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, would require county agricultural commissioners to withhold pesticide-application permits from farmers who don't meet regional rules governing the quality of discharge from irrigated fields.

The state's regional water-quality boards have adopted various waste-discharge programs, including conditional waivers that tailor the rules for farmers. While the state says all farmers who discharge from fields are required to participate, not all do.

The bill seeks to introduce enforcement to the system, which Huffman said will help improve the state's water supplies.

County ag commissioners oppose the bill, saying it improperly involves counties in the enforcement of state rules.

"This is one agency simply trying to shift its burden to us," San Diego Agricultural Commissioner Bob Atkins told the State Board of Food and Agriculture at its July meeting. "We think it's the wrong thing to do."

The bill would take effect in 2012 and has mostly garnered heavy "yes" votes in both chambers. It still must pass the Senate's fiscal committee before heading to the Senate floor.

-- Wes Sander