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Saturday, November 2, 2024

Davis Introduces Legislation to Prevent Liberal Local Governments From Banning or Restricting Pesticide Use

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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.

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