[PASSED] - Repeal "Pesticide Regulations" (Simone)

[United Calanworie]

This is based on Cretox's version here (which dates from Sep 2022)
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=524046

The repeal target is here:
https://www.nationstates.net/page=WA_pa ... ?start=375

As posted numerous times on WALL Staff Lounge, TNP MoWAA and elsewhere, and for those that share the Force Majeure Discord server, I have permission from Cretox to submit his old drafts. I have edited it somewhat because I tend to snark less in resolutions than Cretox did (or does).

I am not doing this repeal until after "sustainable aquaculture protocols" is passed to cover the case for aquaculture (since that's somewhat a branch of agriculture, and arguably pesticides to help fish grow is still pesticides), but I really can't see why GA 376 is not redundant post the passing of GA 645. By the way sustainable aquaculture has passed as 703 and this has also been submitted.

Restricting the use of harmful pesticides (say pesticides that's not harmful to humans but harmful to another sapient species) or pesticide residues in food are all separate matters and is not covered by this resolution.

There's a replacement draft here although it's not really a direct replacement per se, as it's regulating the subject of pesticides from the point of view of food products:

Replacement: Reducing food contaminants and residues
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=543447

Draft 2 is significantly shorter than Draft 1 since I snark a lot less.

Final

The World Assembly (WA),

Believing that strong environmental protections are important, especially where water resources are concerned,

Frustrated that "Pesticide Regulations" represents a flawed attempt to regulate pesticides, despite their potential harm to water resources;

Noting that the target resolution's definition of a "chemical pesticide" as any “chemical… to prevent or kill pathogens and non-sapient pests, and which is used to protect crops or other organisms” is overly broad and includes such things as:

1. antibiotics;
2. shampoo;
3. liquid soap; or
4. hand sanitizer;

Perplexed that, as a result, anyone who uses prescription antibiotics due to a flu bug or hand sanitizer are required to "act to prevent pesticide runoff with preventative measures, including but not limited to buffer zones, selective application and avoiding irrigation right after applying pesticides" despite the nonsensical nature of such rules;

Dismayed that the target's third clause on labelling thus applies to said substances as well, meaning that regular people are forced to rigorously label their spray bottles containing soap and vegetable oil;

Confused by the target's seemingly interchangeable use of "chemical pesticide," which it defines, and "pesticide," which it does not, which not only muddies the waters when it comes to actually implementing the target's mandates, but extends some of those mandates to pesticides that pose no risk to the surrounding environment;

Annoyed by the target's mandate that all "pesticide ingredients must be ones that are permitted for the intended use by the nation where the product is used," meaning that whether ingredients are legal are entirely at the discretion of a WA state and not based on scientific criteria, despite the availability of assistance from the Scientific Programme of the WA;

Flummoxed that the target's fifth clause does not limit the definition of "an accident involving pesticides," or even define the term at all, and requires members to "contact the neighboring nation's relevant officials, and offer assistance with possible clean-up measures" if such an accident happens "near the border of another nation," meaning that WA states could be forced to contact the officials of a neighboring WA state and offer assistance in the event that a homeowner living near their border drops and spills a container of environmentally friendly pesticide that leaves no harmful residue, or spills a bottle of hand sanitizer on their living room floor;

Noting that GA 223 "Transboundary Water Use Act," GA 441 "Convention on Freshwater Shortages," GA 453 "Preventing Groundwater Contamination", GA 645 "Responsible Handling Of Toxic Materials," and GA 705 “Sustainable Aquaculture Protocols” offer ample protection for water resources from the harmful effects of pesticide runoff, and reduce the risks of accidents involving pesticides causing any environmental damage;

Unconvinced that the target remains necessary in light of the passing of numerous better worded resolutions since the passing of this resolution;

Looking forward to future resolutions regarding food safety and other more pressing matters;

Hereby repeals "Pesticide Regulations."

Char count: 3,112.

[Simone Republic]

Draft 1

The World Assembly,

Believing that strong environmental protections are important, especially where water resources are concerned,

Concerned by the potential of pesticides to harm those resources and those who depend on them,

Frustrated that GA 376 "Pesticide Regulations" represents a highly flawed attempt to regulate pesticides,

Noting that the target resolution's definition of a "chemical pesticide" as any “chemical… to prevent or kill pathogens and non-sapient pests, and which is used to protect crops or other organisms” is overly broad and includes such things as:

1. antibiotics, including oral, or in effect any synthetic drugs in a first-aid kit;
2. shampoo;
3. liquid soap; or
4. hand sanitizer;

Perplexed that as a result, anyone who uses prescription antibiotics due to a flu bug or hand sanitizer are required to "act to prevent pesticide runoff with preventative measures, including but not limited to buffer zones, selective application and avoiding irrigation right after applying pesticides" despite that being rather nonsensical,

Dismayed that the target's third clause thus applies to said substances as well, meaning that regular people are forced to rigorously label their spray bottles containing soap and vegetable oil,

Confused by the target's seemingly interchangeable use of "chemical pesticide," which it defines, and "pesticide," which it does not, which not only muddies the waters when it comes to actually implementing the target's mandates, but extends some of those mandates to pesticides that pose no risk to the surrounding environment,

Annoyed by the target's mandate that all "pesticide ingredients must be ones that are permitted for the intended use by the nation where the product is used," meaning that whether ingredients are legal are entirely at the discretion of a WA state and not based on scientific criteria, despite the availability of assistance from the Scientific Programme of the WA;

Flummoxed that the target's fifth clause does not limit the definition of "an accident involving pesticides," or even define the term at all, and requires members to "contact the neighboring nation's relevant officials, and offer assistance with possible clean-up measures" if such an accident happens "near the border of another nation," meaning that WA states could be forced to contact the officials of a neighboring WA state and offer assistance in the event that a homeowner living near their border drops and spills a container of environmentally friendly pesticide that leaves no harmful residue, or spills a bottle of hand sanitizer on their living room floor,

Noting that GA 223 "Transboundary Water Use Act," GA 441 "Convention on Freshwater Shortages," and GA 453 "Preventing Groundwater Contamination", GA 645 "Responsible Handling Of Toxic Materials," and GA [705] “Sustainable Aquaculture Protocols” offer ample protection for water resources from the harmful effects of pesticide runoff, and reduce the risks of accidents involving pesticides causing any environmental damage;

Unconvinced that the target remains necessary in light of the passing of various better worded resolutions since the passing of this resolution;

Hereby repeals the target resolution, GA 376 "Pesticide Regulations."

*Bold red highlighted bump*

The replacement "Pesticides, Contaminants And Residue Limits" is more about residues in food, rather than how pesticides run off into the soil.

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=543447

This has been around for about a year under Cretox's name and it seems to have had no particular feedback. Any feedback appreciated, as otherwise I'd move this forward since it hasn't had much feedback for the best of a year and a half.

[Simone Republic]

Second bump.

[Kenmoria]

Ambassador Fortier stands to speak. “On behalf of the Delegation of the People's Republic of Kenmoria to the General Assembly, I have nothing but the fullest and most unconditional support for this repeal, including any past or future variations thereof. There should be a comma before ‘as a result’ in the ‘perplexed’ clause. However, I would be willing to support this regardless of grammatical errancy.”

[Simone Republic]

Added the comma. Also added "WA" as an initial.

[Simone Republic]

Bump on the WA bumper

[Nationuraniume]

As the delegate of A.N.A.L, i find no issues with this proposal and will support it in full.

[The Ice States]

Unfortunately, British imperialism compels me to oppose this due to the use of the spelling "sanitizer".

More seriously no objections to this repeal.

[Oliveira]

I pray that every stupid nation that supports this repeal all its inhabitants die from poison. We know the interest behind this. Oliveira will not bow down to these rubbish poisons. D I very much wish that all nations that support this would die.

[Ultaverstin]

Ultaverstin sees no good reason to vote against this bill, so it has its support.

[Kenmoria]

Repeal "Pesticide Regulations" was passed 10,476 votes to 975.

(OOC: That’s quite the margin of victory. Congratulations.)