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Food supply

Plan to Protect Farmers from "Forever Chemicals" Gains Momentum

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A coalition of 16 major farm, conservation, and health groups is calling on the federal government to address the contamination of farmlands by PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals." This push for pragmatic, nonpartisan, farmer-first solutions aims to protect the nation's food supply and keep farms in business. The groups are advocating for five key asks, including financial and health support for impacted farmers, protection from lawsuits, and reduced future contamination.

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Wildlife Federation, in partnership with 15 other organizations, is pushing for a federal plan to address PFAS contamination on farmlands.
  • PFAS are a family of over 4,000 chemicals used in waterproof, stain-proof, and flame-resistant products, which enter agricultural systems through biosolids.
  • The working group recommends providing financial and health support for farmers, protecting them from lawsuits, and reducing future contamination through setting PFAS limits for biosolids.
  • Scientific understanding of the threat posed by PFAS has advanced, highlighting their persistence, bio-accumulation, and toxicity, causing human health impacts like cancer and depleted breeding success in wildlife.
  • The National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes Regional Center is taking the lead in addressing the harm caused by PFAS.
  • Rebecca Meuninck, Great Lakes regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation, emphasizes the need to stop PFAS from entering agricultural systems and supporting farmers affected by contamination.
  • The federal recommendations aim to help impacted farmers and communities recover and transition safely.

Statistics:

  • Over 4,000 chemicals make up the PFAS family.
  • PFAS concentrations have been found in the environment, people, water, and wildlife.
  • The National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes Regional Center leads the national effort to address PFAS contamination.

Sources:

  • National Wildlife Federation, "Farmers Catapult to Action to Confront Forever Chemicals after Major Conservation, Crop, and Health Groups Unite to Protect Farmers and Public Health," September 16, 2025
  • National Wildlife Federation, "Fact Sheet: PFAS in the Environment" (no specific date)

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