FB Applauds Bill Ensuring Sound Science in EPA Decisions

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 28, 1999---Legislation introduced today by a bipartisan group of House members will "ensure that the Environmental Protection Agency uses sound science and real-world data when evaluating pesticides, while maintaining a safe, affordable, high-quality supply of food and fiber," according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

"The Regulatory Fairness and Openness Act of 1999 is needed because of the difficulties EPA has experienced in implementing the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)" said AFBF President Dean Kleckner. "The FQPA has been on the books for nearly three years and there's still great uncertainty about how EPA will implement it and whether farmers and ranchers will have continued access to safe pest control products."

Kleckner said the measure, introduced today by Reps. Richard Pombo (R-Calif.), Ed Towns (D-N.Y.), Gary Condit (D-Calif.), Allen Boyd (D-Fla.) and 16 other members, would clarify and improve many regulatory procedures under FQPA. "This legislation closely tracks last year's directive from Vice President Gore to EPA and the Agriculture Department on how to implement FQPA," he said.

In April 1998, Gore told the agencies that pesticide decisions must be based on sound science and reliable data; that the new rules should be clear and understandable; that farmers and other users should be given a transition period to adapt to any changes; and that EPA should "expedite" approval of new, alternative pesticide products.

"EPA and USDA have tried to comply with the Gore memorandum but the unreasonable and unworkable deadlines and timetables of the FQPA make it difficult," said Kleckner. "The legislation introduced today would enable EPA to use real data instead of relying on default assumptions."

Kleckner said the new legislation, which was unveiled today at a Capitol Hill news conference, addresses most of agriculture's concerns. "This bill is endorsed by a wide range of farm, food, pest control and chemical industry groups."

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