Source: U.S. HOUSE AG COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, 10/4/11

This week during The Ag Minute, Chairman Frank Lucas discusses what is at stake for farmers, ranchers, and small businesses if the Senate fails to pass H.R. 872, the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act, before October 31. The legislation, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate Agriculture Committee in bipartisan votes, eliminates a costly and duplicative permitting requirement for the application of pesticides. This requirement is the result of a misguided court order, which goes into effect at the end of the month unless there is a legislative fix.

The transcript is below.

"On October 31st, a court order will begin requiring redundant permitting for pesticide applications.
"Because pesticide applications are already regulated, this new requirement won’t provide any additional environmental benefits.  

"All it will do is impose substantial new costs.  That slows down economic activity and hurts job growth, at a time when we can ill afford to do so.    

"The House of Representatives responded by passing the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act—H.R. 872.  This bipartisan legislation would eliminate the second, redundant permitting process.   

"After passing the House, the legislation was considered by the Senate Agriculture Committee, where it once again gained wide bipartisan support.

"I have repeatedly called on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to bring the bill to the Senate floor for action.  

"Time is running out.  In less than one month, farmers, ranchers, and small business owners will be subject to this costly and unnecessary requirement, unless Senator Reid acts quickly.  

"It’s time to put jobs first, and pass the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act."  

 The Ag Minute is Chairman Lucas's weekly radio address that is released from the House Agriculture Committee.