California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has reported a continued decline in pesticide use across the state. According to the agency’s latest Pesticide Use Report, approximately 176 million pounds of pesticides were applied in California during 2023, representing a 3% drop from the previous year and marking the third consecutive year of reductions.
The report notes that, over the past decade, there have been significant decreases—ranging from 22% to 81%—in categories of pesticides that are highly regulated. These include chemicals identified as potential carcinogens, reproductive toxins, cholinesterase inhibitors, groundwater contaminants, toxic air contaminants, and fumigants.
In contrast, DPR reports an increase in the adoption of biopesticides considered lower risk. Since 2014, their use has risen by 46%. The agency attributes these trends to factors such as stricter regulations on certain chemicals and changes in farming practices and consumer preferences as overall farm acreage declines.
“The continued trend of reduced pesticide use in California complements DPR’s long-term efforts to promote sustainable pest management,” said DPR Director Karen Morrison.
California began mandatory pesticide-use reporting in 1990. The system is regarded as the most comprehensive nationwide for tracking agricultural chemical applications.
Other findings highlighted by DPR include a 4% rise in biopesticide use between 2022 and 2023. At the same time, fumigant pesticides saw a reduction of 9%, pesticides classified as toxic air contaminants dropped by 9%, and those labeled as potential groundwater contaminants fell by 34%.
