Pesticide Provision Stalls Farm Bill Discussion

By Jared White

Brownfield

The director of the Gardner Agricultural Policy Program at the University of Illinois says pesticides have become a sticking point in farm bill negotiations.

Jonathan Coppess says language aimed at prohibiting states from imposing labeling requirements or health warnings on pesticides that differ from EPA approval has stalled the bill in the Rules Committee.

“Changes to pesticide laws that seem to be very unpopular with a lot of sides of the political spectrum.”  He says, “I don’t know why that is something that would be included if it was going to be so problematic.”

House GOP leaders have reportedly drafted a rule that would remove the controversial pesticide language.  Coppess tells Brownfield…

“This raises a set of questions about what it is that the committee is thinking about and doing.”  He says, “Does this language on pesticides help? Does this kind of thing make it easier for farmers or are we making it easier for the companies that make and sell and distribute these products?”

He says the state of politics in the country means it’s likely not the last bump in the road.

“Congress is not moving anything easily right now,” he says.

MAHA advocates say the language protected pesticide companies from lawsuits.  Proponents say the measure offered additional certainty for farmers and applicators.