Maine Farmers Seek $100M Plan to Tackle PFAS Contamination

Maine farmers and the state’s agriculture commissioner have testified in favor of a proposal that would create a $100 million fund to help pay for problems caused by long-lasting chemicals.

The Maine Legislature is considering creating the fund to do things like help farmers pay for water and soil tests and cover crop and animal losses related to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl contamination. The main concern from some who testified on the bill on Wednesday was that $100 million wouldn’t be enough, the Portland Press Herald reported.

Maine Agriculture Commissioner Amanda Beal said in testimony that “the work to address the impacts of PFAS contamination will require robust and continuing financial support.”

The proposal will be subject to votes in committee in the future.

Maine’s congressional delegation also recently called on the federal government to help farmers in the state cope with the problem of managing contamination by the long-lasting chemicals. Exposure to high levels of the chemicals have been linked to increased risks of cancer and other chronic health problems.