The state is holding a workshop on the South Coast Monday night as it develops plans for an advance warning system for people who live, and work near agricultural sites where pesticides will be used.
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation is developing the system, with plans to implement it in 2024. The agency has been holding a series of virtual workshops on the idea. The Monday night event at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center is one of two in-person workshops.
Some farmworkers groups have expressed concern that what's proposed doesn't go far enough when it comes to the information being provided.
The Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner's Office has been doing a pilot notification program with the state on agricultural pesticide use in the El Rio area. People can sign up for notifications, or they can go to a searchable database if they don't want to register.
