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The Freedom from Pesticides Bill of Rights is an exciting and groundbreaking new campaign to assert our right to be free from pesticides. Written by a diverse group of local citizens in Josephine County, Oregon, the Freedom from Pesticides Bill of Rights codifies that right of the people in Josephine County–as well as the right of the natural community—to be free from trespass of chemicals associated with pesticide use. Towards this end, the Bill would prohibit corporations and government entities from using or applying pesticides within the County.

After years of working with official investigations and regulatory agencies in attempts to limit the spraying of dangerous and toxic pesticides, local residents within Josephine County came to learn that not only does the current structure of Oregon law permit the application of these poisonous and often untested chemicals within our neighborhoods and communities, it actually denies the right of local communities to say “no” to pesticides. It was this revelation that motivated the crafting of the Freedom from Pesticides Bill of Rights.   

Freedom from Pesticides Bill of Rights

Section 1. Findings and Intent

We the people of Josephine County declare that we possess a fundamental and inherent right to govern our own communities.

We the people of Josephine County assert our right to self-government to adopt this ordinance, which creates a freedom from pesticides bill of rights for the people of Josephine County, which protects the ecosystems, surrounding lands, and public health of the citizens of Josephine County from pesticide use.

We the people of Josephine County recognize that current laws and regulations permit and protect the use of pesticides, threaten our public health, and interfere with our right to community self-government. A large number of pesticides, such as DDT and atrazine, have been proven harmful to both humans and the environment. Knowing over 88,000 chemicals are in use in the United States, the risks from trespass, due to the failure of our federal, state and local governments to protect us, are no longer acceptable.

We the people of Josephine County, in order to protect the rights enumerated within this ordinance, declare that all pesticide use by corporate and government entities (the largest users of pesticides) on all lands within Josephine County except for private residential properties must be prohibited.

Accordingly, the people of Josephine County adopt this Ordinance, which prohibits corporations and governmental entities from engaging in the use of pesticides on all lands within Josephine County except for private residential properties.