The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has released its latest Pesticide Use Report, showing continued reductions in pesticide use in California. In total, approximately 176 million pounds of pesticides were used in 2023, a decrease of about 3% compared to 2022 data and the third year of continued declines. Over the last 10 years, highly regulated categories of pesticides — including potential carcinogens, reproductive toxins, cholinesterase inhibitors, groundwater contaminants, toxic air contaminants, and fumigants — have shown declines in use of 22 to 81%. Conversely, use of lower-risk biopesticides has increased 46% since 2014. California’s pesticide-use reporting program began in 1990 and is considered the most comprehensive in the nation. The latest report highlights other important changes in pesticide use between 2022 and 2023:

• 4% increase in the use of biopesticides (considered safer than conventional pesticides)
• 9% decrease in the use of fumigant pesticides
• 6% decrease in the use of pesticides regulated as potential carcinogens
• 9% decrease in the use of pesticides regulated as toxic air contaminants
• 13% decrease in the use of pesticides regulated as potential reproductive toxins
• 34% decrease in the use of pesticides regulated as potential groundwater contaminants

DPR’s annual Pesticide Use Reports include data collected by the state’s 55 county agricultural commissioners, who receive reports from farmers, pesticide applicators and others required to report their usage.