City of Philadelphia Considers Ban On “Synthetic Herbicides”

PHILADELPHIA – On October 30, 2020 the Committee on Public Health and Human Services of the City of Philadelphia heard from nearly 70 individuals as the committee considered Bill 200425 that would ban use of “Synthetic herbicides” from use on city-owned property. The bill would not affect use of synthetic herbicides on private or other government-owned property.

The bill defined a synthetic herbicide as

any herbicide containing a Synthetic substance, including any material or agent containing a Synthetic substance that harms, adversely affects, or kills any plant, except synthetic herbicides that are allowed on the National List of Allowed Substances under the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA), as published by the National Organic Standards Board (7 C.F.R. § 205.601 [2020 edition]).

The Committee chair is the sponsor of the bill and robustly advocated for its passage. The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) joined with the city’s parks and recreation department, leaders from the manufacturing industry, golf industry and others in testifying against the bill.

After four hours of spirited debate, the committee voted unanimously to favorably recommend the bill to the city council. Whether the bill will be considered by the full city council is not know at this point.

Pennsylvania’s Pesticide Control Act prohibits local regulation of pesticides. However, since this bill only deals with city-owned property, it probably will not apply. Municipalities are able to manage their own property as they see fit.