Politics & Government
Maryland Could Become First State to Ban Arsenic-Laced Chicken
Delegate Tom Hucker of Silver Spring (D-District 20) sponsored the legislation in the House.
Gov. O'Malley is expected to sign a bill that could ban the use of arsenic additives in Maryland that are widely used in the chicken industry.
The prohibition, which had already passed the Maryland Senate (32-14), passed the House floor 101-31 on Saturday.
Find out what's happening in Silver Springwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In a recent study by the University of Maryland, it found that the waste from chickens treated with arsenic often finds its way into the fertilizer used in agricultural fields and eventually into runoff into streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.
Maryland's leaders are taking action against arsenic and protecting the environment, said Delegate Tom Hucker, (D-District 20), the House sponsor of the legislation.
Find out what's happening in Silver Springwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“This is a huge win for the environment and Maryland families. Maryland voters should be proud of who they elected,” said Jen Brock-Cancellieri, deputy director of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters.
In 2009, legislation was introduced that was strengthened by a study released by the University of Maryland’s Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology. The study found that the use of arsenic in chicken farming is not sustainable for the environment.
Share Your Thoughts: How will this affect your trip to the grocery store?
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
