FB Applauds Measure to Improve Current Pesticide Law

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 29, 1999---Legislation introduced today by a bipartisan group of senators will "ensure that the Environmental Protection Agency uses sound science and real-world data when evaluating pesticides" instead of the "guesses" and "estimates" the agency is now using, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Speaking at a Capitol Hill news conference today, Nebraska Farm Bureau President Bryce Neidig said, "The Regulatory Openness and Fairness Act of 1999 is needed because of the difficulties EPA has experienced in implementing the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)." Neidig said the measure, which is being introduced by Sens. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) and Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) and 11 other senators, "will help EPA do it right."

"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," said Neidig, a member of the AFBF board of directors.

The farm leader noted that the legislation is a key component of Farm Bureau's "AgRecovery Action Plan," a multi-faceted proposal to assist farmers and ranchers, and reverse the current economic downturn in agriculture. "With the farm economy in trouble, we need to make sure that the EPA does not make it more difficult and expensive for producers to continue in farming."

Neidig said the measure 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 and that the new rules should be clear and understandable. The vice president also said 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 Neidig . "The legislation introduced today would enable EPA to use real data instead of relying on default assumptions."

Neidig said the proposed 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."

In addition to Hagel and Lincoln, the bill is sponsored by Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Tim Hutchinson (R-Ark.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Rod Grams (R-Minn.), Spencer Abraham (R-Mich.), Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.), Larry Craig (R-Idaho), Slade Gorton (R-Wash.), Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), and Michael Crapo (R-Idaho).

In April, similar legislation (H.R. 1592) was introduced in the House. That bill now has nearly 150 cosponsors.

This page was last modified Fri Jul 30, 1999 at 01:00 am