U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL) has introduced legislation to prohibit liberal local governments, such as municipalities, townships, or counties, from banning or regulating the use of pesticides at levels that are more stringent than state and federal regulations.
“Pesticides serve as important tools for our farmers, pest management and landscape professionals, and many others,” said Rep. Davis. “These products are already rigorously regulated at the federal and state levels to ensure safety. That’s why I’ve introduced legislation to ensure states maintain their status as the sole co-regulator with the federal government to prevent liberal cities and towns from creating a patchwork of regulations that are confusing and burdensome to users, and ultimately do not contribute to health or safety in any positive way. I look forward to working with industry advocates and my colleagues in Congress to move this bill forward as we look to the next Farm Bill.”
“Illinois farmers depend on crop protectants for their livelihoods and strongly oppose a patchwork of rules governing their use. Producing a safe, bountiful supply of food will be much more efficient under Rep. Davis’ bill to preempt what has the potential to become a confusing patchwork of laws across the country governing pesticide use,” said Illinois Farm Bureau president Richard Guebert, Jr.
“Farm Bureau greatly appreciates Rep. Davis’ leadership on this bill and urges other members of our congressional delegation to sign on as co-sponsors,” Guebert said.
“The Illinois Pest Control Association is proud to support this legislation. Our industry is essential in protecting public health across the great state of Illinois, and we are so appreciative that Representative Davis has championed this important preemption fix.” – Scott Fisher, President of the Illinois Pest Control Association
“GROWMARK appreciates Congressman Davis’s efforts to assure a uniform, science-based, predictable regulatory environment across state and federal levels for pesticide regulation. This is important to farmers, applicators, and the public to know that uniform pesticide regulation is a public interest and a statewide concern.” – Chuck Spencer, Executive Director, Government Relations, GROWMARK, Inc.
“The pest management industry is so thankful to Representative Davis for introducing this bill. This narrow fix will help protect public health, food and property equally, and ensure no one has different protection from pests based on where they live in a state. The National Pest Management Association is proud to support this legislation, and thanks Congress for recognizing the challenges to business and public health protection this legislation will solve.” – Ashley Amidon, Vice President of Public Policy at the National Pest Management Association
“Our farmers have been dramatically impacted by soaring inflation rates and supply chain shortages, and they need our support more than ever. Those in the agricultural industry know too well the negative impact that regulatory uncertainty can have on their operations. This legislation will take long-awaited steps to promote a regulatory environment based on consistency and predictability to ensure that pesticides are safe, effective, and accessible. I’m proud to work with Rep. Davis to advocate for the agricultural industry, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to promote a science- and risk-based regulatory environment for critical agricultural inputs.” – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN)
Rep. Davis’ legislation clarifies in federal statute that regulation of pesticides will be handled jointly by the lead regulatory agency in each state and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), agencies that have the resources and scientific expertise to effectively regulate pesticides. It would also ensure uniform labeling of pesticides as well.
Presently, there are 4 states that do not preempt local units of government from regulating pesticides – Alaska, Maine, Maryland, and Nevada. Some state legislatures have proposed removing preemption of these regulations.
Supporters of this legislation include the National Pest Management Association, Illinois Pest Control Association, Illinois Farm Bureau, National Association of Landscape Professionals, and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
Also introducing this bill with Rep. Davis are Reps. Jim Baird, Troy Balderson, David Valadao, Jake LaTurner, Tracey Mann, Randy Feenstra, Rick Allen, Austin Scott, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and Dan Newhouse.
Original source can be found here.