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More than 350 agricultural organizations signed on to a letter sent to members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives that affirms these organizations’ support for the current pesticide regulatory system under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
The letter is in response to recently introduced legislation (S. 3283) that would undermine the science-based standards contained within the nation’s pesticide law. This is the second time these organizations have reached out to Congress to voice concern over similar proposed legislation.
FIFRA has been amended by Congress several times to strengthen the regulatory standard for safety – most recently through the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) that added specific protections for infants and children.
Under the provisions of the current law, pesticides that are approved for use are subject to continuous review whenever new scientific data becomes available. Officially, federal regulators must review each pesticide approved for use in the U.S. every 15 years, but the reality is that the pace of scientific development means regulators are making formal assessments much more frequently as more data becomes available.
The ag groups say the proposed legislation would jeopardize the continued availability and innovation of pesticide products by imposing an unscientific and unbalanced process that could unnecessarily remove pest control options from those who need them to safely grow crops.
The potato groups that signed the letter are Colorado Potato Legislative Association, Idaho Potato Commission, Maine Potato Board, National Potato Council, North Carolina Potato Association, Potato Growers of Michigan, Inc., and Washington State Potato Commission.
SOURCE: Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA)
