05/14/2026

VPMA Advocacy Update:

Defending Science-Based Pesticide Regulation in Virginia

During the 2026 session of the Virginia General Assembly, the Virginia Pest Management Association (VPMA) actively engaged lawmakers regarding House Bill 1375, legislation proposing to prohibit the sale and use of the herbicide paraquat in the Commonwealth.

On February 10, VPMA submitted formal testimony to the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee opposing the bill and urging legislators to preserve Virginia’s longstanding science-based pesticide regulatory framework.

VPMA’s position centered on a fundamental principle: pesticide regulation should remain grounded in rigorous scientific review conducted by qualified regulatory agencies, not political decision-making.

Paraquat is currently classified as a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP), meaning it is unavailable to the general public and may only be used by licensed and certified applicators. The association emphasized that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in coordination with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), already maintains a comprehensive system for evaluating pesticide safety, environmental impact, and human health risks.

In its testimony, VPMA highlighted the extensive federal review process required before any pesticide reaches the marketplace. This process includes more than a decade of scientific testing, continuous reassessment, mandatory adverse effect reporting, and highly conservative exposure evaluations designed to protect vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and pregnant women.

The association also noted that the EPA reapproved paraquat in 2021 following a thorough scientific review while simultaneously imposing additional restrictions and safety requirements. VPMA further acknowledged that the EPA continues to reassess paraquat as new scientific data becomes available, including ongoing evaluations related to inhalation concerns.

VPMA argued that HB 1375 would undermine the existing regulatory system established under federal and state law, including the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Virginia Pesticide Control Act, and the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA).

As part of its advocacy, VPMA reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to safe pesticide use, applicator education, environmental stewardship, and pollinator protection. For decades, the association has partnered with VDACS to train pest management professionals across Virginia on the safe and effective use of pest control products and methods.

HB 1375 was continued during the 2026 General Assembly Session. "Status: Continued" in the Virginia General Assembly means a bill is postponed to the next regular session, to allow more time for review. It is not passed or dead; it remains active under the same bill number and is often used to find compromise, handle financial concerns, or study complex issues. VPMA will continue to engage with legislators on this bill before the 2027 General Assembly Session.