State pesticide labeling rules that differ from federal EPA rules could be a target in the next farm bill.
Washington State’s Dan Newhouse recently told the House Ag committee that some states have gone beyond EPA’s rules already unpopular, in regulating Ag pesticides
“Some states have begun to regulate pesticides in a manner counter to the decades of scientific guidance from the EPA.”
Newhouse says the uncertainty on EPA-approved science-based labels will erode access to critical pesticides.
“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 label uniformity.
“And prevent state and local governments from adopting inconsistent labeling or packaging that disrupts access to these vital tools.”
Newhouse concedes, states have authority to regulate pesticides in their jurisdictions, but can’t impose labeling requirements on top of or different than the scientific findings of EPA.
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