CropLife’s comments at senate hearing on EPA oversight

CropLife America (CLA) president and CEO Jay Vroom provided testimony on behalf of the agricultural community and crop protection industry during todays Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry hearing, which focused on the impact of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys (EPAs) regulation of agriculture.

The hearing, "Oversight Hearing to Examine the Impact of EPA Regulation on Agriculture," was organized as a result of CLA working cooperatively with Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, to ensure that all such regulatory decisions are based on up-to-date and sound science, the rule of law, and a consistent and transparent due process.

Other witnesses providing oral testimony at the hearing included Lisa Jackson, administrator of the U.S. EPA, Rich Hillman, vice president of the Arkansas Farm Bureau and Jere White, executive director of the Kansas Corn Growers Association.

CLA spoke in regards to the EPA role in overseeing the crop protection industry and regulating its products, as well as those pesticide products used outside of agriculture. His testimony also supported members of CLAs affiliate organization, RISE, which represents the specialty pesticide industry. Vroom specifically addressed the 6th Circuit Courts ruling on National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, spray drift label language and the Endangered Species Act.

Representing the makers, manufacturers and distributors of virtually all the crop protection products used by American farmers, CLA advocates for a regulatory foundation of sound policies which ensure the safety of consumers, but also allows U.S. farmers to remain productive, profitable and competitive in a global market. Vroom explained that recent regulatory activity from EPA, other Federal agencies and the Courts has drifted away from scientific integrity and goes in direct conflict with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), a key piece of legislation which for decades has allowed the crop protection industry to work in a stable and predictable regulatory environment.

Vroom stated in his testimony that, "CropLife America has a long history of working cooperatively with EPA and the U.S. Congress on issues affecting crop protection, human health and the environment. But, recently, the businesses that support American agriculture have seen serious deviations from the regular order, transparency and scientific integrity of the Federal governments pesticide review process. We hope that todays hearing will put EPA, other agencies and agriculture back on a path to a more productive dialogue that leads to reasonable, timely, and consistent solutions to our shared concerns."

His testimony further stated that, "CropLife America knows that the oversight and action of this Committee may well determine whether the pesticide program descends further into disarray -- regulating based on unsupported science, activism and politics -- or whether you can thoughtfully guide EPA back to the order of FIFRAs transparent, science-based review and rigorous process."

Senator Lincoln played a vital role in helping to organize and hold the hearing. She and ranking committee minority member, Sen. Saxby Chambliss, have long proven to be dedicated allies to American farmers, have worked to protect U.S. growers from redundant policies and helped to build a strong relationship between growers and the EPA. It is clearly the objective of both Senator Lincoln and CLA to advance a more collaborative relationship between the agricultural industry and key government agencies, resulting in increased productivity in the farm sector.

"As Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Lincoln continues to be the leading voice in support of the critically important agricultural industry," said Beau Greenwood, executive vice president of government relations and public affairs at CLA. "This support more than just helps U.S. farmers do their jobs, but helps our country remain competitive in the international market and produce enough food, fuel and fiber for a growing world. CLA recognizes and thanks Senator Lincoln for her leadership and support."