Ag groups call for congress to reaffirm federal pesticide preemption

by | Nov 15, 2022 | 5 Ag Stories, News

More than 300 agriculture, environment, academic, and infrastructure stakeholder groups are calling on Congress to reaffirm federal pesticide preemption on labeling and packaging. Failing to do so, the groups warn, could hold disastrous consequences for our food security, the environment, public health, vital infrastructure, and other uses where pesticides provide important societal benefits. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act is clear that states ?shall not impose or continue in effect any requirements for labeling or packaging in addition to or different from those required? by the federal government. However, in recent years, states have sought to impose health claim label requirements that directly contradict federal findings. In a letter to Congress, the groups call on Congress to reaffirm that states may not impose additional labeling or packaging requirements that conflict with federal findings. American Soybean Association President Brad Doyle says, ?Farmers and other pesticide users need predictable access to these tools to protect their crops and maintain important conservation practices.