Protestors gather outside the state pesticide office in Clovis in this October 2021 file photo

A new report from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) shows that the use of pesticides in the state has gone down.

The DPR released its Pesticide Use Report this week, reporting about 176 million pounds of pesticide were used in 2023, a decrease of about 3% when 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%.

Use of lower risk biopesticides has increased 46% since 2014, according to DPR.

The changes in pesticide use could be due to several factors, including regulatory limits on the use of certain types of pesticides, and also declining farm acreage and shifts in consumer, according to DPR.

“The continued trend of reduced pesticide use in California complements DPR’s long-term efforts to promote sustainable pest management,” noted DPR Director Karen Morrison.

Pesticide-use reporting in the state began in 1990 and is considered the most comprehensive in the nation.

The report highlights changes in pesticide use between 2022 and 2023 such as a 4% increase in the use of biopesticides, a 9% decrease in the use of fumigant pesticides, a 9% decrease in the use of pesticides regulated as toxic air contaminants, and a 34% decrease in the use of pesticides regulated as potential groundwater contaminants.

The report includes data collected by the state’s 55 county agricultural commissioners, who receives reports from farmers, pesticide applicator and others required to report their usage.