Unity, ME – In response to the reintroduction of the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act by U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Executive Director of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) Sarah Alexander released the following statement:
“MOFGA commends Senator Collins and Congresswoman Pingree for reintroducing the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act and prioritizing the financial security of farmers across the country. Amid the federal rollbacks of PFAS protections and continued debate over who should be held accountable for this pollution, this bill represents a critical step toward supporting farmers and their families. Farmers remain the most directly and deeply affected by PFAS contamination, from experiencing long-term health implications to the severe financial burden on their businesses, often through no fault of their own. Providing them with meaningful resources and relief is the least we can do as we work toward long-term solutions.
In Maine, MOFGA has worked hand in hand with Senator Collins and Congresswoman Pingree to support farmers suffering from PFAS contamination, building our great state into a leader on PFAS regulation. We are grateful to our elected officials for escalating this support to the federal level, and we are calling on all legislators across both sides of the aisle to pass this bill into law.”
Additional Background: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals,” are a class of harmful chemicals manufactured by corporations and used in a wide range of products. The chemicals do not break down and linger indefinitely in the environment, contaminating air, water, and soil. PFAS pose a particular risk to farmers, who face increasing exposure through their soil and farmland, with exposure being linked to serious health issues, including cancer, liver disease, thyroid disorders, and autoimmune conditions.
The Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act, which would authorize grants for states to provide financial assistance to affected farmers, expand monitoring and testing, remediate PFAS, or even help farmers relocate, is modeled after the PFAS Emergency Relief Fund, created by MOFGA and Maine Farmland Trust in 2021 to support farmers facing contamination. MOFGA has long advocated for state and federal relief for farmers whose land has been contaminated by PFAS. Until these chemicals are banned, farmers will continue to bear the brunt of the contamination crisis.
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