March 12, 2013
State Representative Gregory Haddad is pleased to announce that a bill he has proposed, HB 5480, will be getting a public hearing this Friday, March 15 at 10:30 a.m. during the Environment Committee’s public hearing in room 2B of the Legislative Office Building.
House Bill 5480, AN ACT REQUIRING AN ASSESSMENT OF THE USE OF CERTAIN PESTICIDES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT RESEARCH FARM, requires an assessment of the pesticide practices that take place at The University of Connecticut Research Farm in order to assure the protection of water quality and public health in the surrounding communities.
“This bill would require that an independent third party conduct an assessment of the pesticide use practices employed on the farm,” Rep. Haddad said. “Because pesticides are used in experiments at the farm and there are so many residential properties adjacent to the farm that rely on well water for drinking and other uses, the additional scrutiny is warranted.”
Residents who have property that borders the research farm believe that their well-water has been contaminated by pesticides that are being tested there. UConn has agreed to a third-party assessment of the research farm.
Representative Haddad represents Mansfield’s 54th Assembly district, which includes the University of Connecticut and their Research Farm. He is Vice Chair of the Legislature’s Higher Education Committee.