Pesticide Labeling Rules
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. State pesticide labeling rules that differ from federal rules from the Environmental Protection Agency could be a target in the next farm bill.
Washington State’s Dan Newhouse told the House Ag committee that some states, without naming them, have gone beyond EPA’s rules, that are already unpopular, in regulating Ag pesticides …
NEWHOUSE … “Some states have begun to regulate pesticides in a manner counter to the decades of scientific guidance from the EPA.”
As a member of the House Ag appropriations, Newhouse says the uncertainty on EPA-approved science-based labels will erode access to many critical pesticides …
NEWHOUSE … “It will threaten crops, grower incomes, conservation practices, public health, vital infrastructure, and ultimately raise food prices for families, amidst record high inflation.”
Newhouse supports the Agricultural Label Uniformity Act to reaffirm pesticide labeling …
NEWHOUSE … “And prevent state and local governments from adopting inconsistent labeling or packaging that disrupts access to these vital tools.”
Newhouse concedes, states do have the authority to regulate pesticides in their jurisdictions, but they can’t simply impose labeling requirements on top of or different than the scientific findings of EPA.
