Source: SOUTHERN CROP PRODUCTION ASSOCIATION, 9/1/20


Two newly introduced bills, H.R. 7940 (Neguse) and S. 4406 (Udall), would significantly jeopardize the continued innovation and availability of pesticide products in the US marketplace. These bills impose an unscientific, unbalanced, politically driven process which would unnecessarily remove pest control options from those who need them to safely grow crops, protect schools and hospitals, and control pathogens and disease vectors. This legislation is the biggest challenge to our industry since FIFRA was enacted in 1947.

We must engage now and defend FIFRA as the global gold standard of pesticide regulation.  The single most important facet of this US law is its requirement to balance all product risks with the benefits that it provides to society.  Many anti-pesticide groups want to change this…to consider only the hazard, and none of the benefits. If this proposed legislation were to take effect, the Precautionary Principle would take the lead on whether products are registered instead of the scientific Risk Based Approach that we use now.  Please contact both of your US Senators  and your Congressional Representative to let them know you oppose these pieces of legislation.   

FIFRA PROTECTION
H.R. 7940 and S. 4406 would jeopardize the continued innovation and availability of pesticide products. These bills impose an unscientific, unbalanced, politically driven process which would unnecessarily remove pest control options from those who need them to safely grow crops, protect schools and hospitals, and control pathogens and disease vectors.

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Sufficiency
This bill is based on the flawed notion that pesticide regulation in the U.S. is inadequate. Pesticides are among the most highly regulated products in the U.S., and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with over 600 career employees dedicated to pesticide review, is assigned authority for registering or reregistering pesticides under FIFRA which governs the sale, distribution, and use of pesticides.

European Union Standards vs. United States
Pesticide registrations are regulated by U.S. law under FIFRA and FFDCA and should not be subject to review by another country. Products used in the U.S. should be regulated by U.S. law – which follows the most comprehensive risk assessment process of any country in the world.

Registration Review
Pesticide registrations must be evaluated every 15 years. The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), an amendment to FIFRA, established this review cycle. The EPA can, and does, review products when major new uses or new data are encountered.

Preemption
Patchwork policies don't work anywhere. Pesticide regulation under FIFRA includes states, which have delegated authority from EPA to review and register pesticides for use in states, recognizing unique use conditions and patterns. State lead agencies, that include Departments of Agriculture, Departments of Environment Protection, and Departments of Environmental Conservation, conduct product registration activities, applicator testing and licensing, and enforcement.

Loopholes - Conditional Registrations
There are no loopholes in approving pesticides. All pesticide uses are reviewed by the EPA, including conditional registrations and emergency uses. All food residues must meet the “reasonable certainty of no harm” safety standard, and FIFRA allows the EPA to act more quickly to meet a pest control emergency.

Reporting Requirements
Registrants are already required by law to report any negative effect a registered product has on people or the environment. Under FIFRA 6(a)(2) and current law, the EPA reviews and investigates these reports.

Pollinators and Neonics
“Pollinator collapse” is a straw man argument about the many stressors that affect pollinator health. The reality is that pollinator health is affected by a number of different stressors including varroa mites, disease and other pathogens, habitat loss, and pesticides. EPA and state governments have developed Pesticide Protection Programs to better protect pollinators over the past 10 years.

Individual AI’s and Class Product Bans
Organophosphates are among the most studied groups of pesticides. Over the years, the EPA has required a variety of new studies to more thoroughly evaluate their safety. Many organophosphates have been removed from the market over the last 25 years. EPA requirements include evaluating the potential of developmental neurotoxicity and other neurodevelopmental effects in both children and adults.