¡Qué asco! Keep dirty oil residue off our fruits and veggies!
Too many Latino communities are already overburdened by increased pollution and exposure to toxic chemicals – the last thing we need is to have these hazards in our food... and our organic food, no less!
There are currently no regulations on the type of water organic farms can use to irrigate their crops, which means oil companies like Chevron have been selling their wastewater to farms in California to water their crops – crops eaten around the dinner table by our children and families. We must send a message to the U.S. Department of Agriculture today to update their organic standards to ensure our food is safe from toxic chemicals.
Tell the USDA: Close the loophole and protect nuestras familias! Don't allow oil wastewater from Chevron and other oil companies to irrigate our organic food.
Dear USDA Secretary Vilsack,
News has surfaced recently that the oil and gas industry is selling their dirty wastewater to organic farms to irrigate their fields. This puts our food in danger of contamination from harmful chemicals and heavy metals. It is appalling that there are no standards which directly address the use of irrigation water for organic farms.
While some standards include bans on wastewater from sewage, it's insane that water from oil and gas operations laden with dangerous chemicals is allowed for organic farm irrigation. I urge you to update the standards for testing of certain chemicals like benzene, and to reconsider the types of water organic farms can use to irrigate their fields.
[Your comment will go here]
As you consider changing the standards for irrigation to better protect our food on farms, keep in mind the health of our families at home.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
