Preemption Bill Introduced in Congress

“As long-time proponents of pesticide preemption, we applaud Congressman Davis and the introduction of this bill. Preemption is critical to ensuring safe, consistent, and science-based use of pest control products and is in alignment with NPMA’s overall commitment to public health,” said Ashley Amidon, NPMA’s Vice President of Public Policy. 

 

If passed, the bill reinforces the intention of FIFRA that only the state lead agency act as a coregulator in the state with EPA, ensuring that the highly technical work of determining how pest control products and services are used are made by those with scientific expertise. In states with preemption (currently 46) the state lead agency already works with the EPA on any and all pesticide usage, sale, or distribution. Alaska, Maine, Maryland, and Nevada do not have a pesticide preemption law, meaning that localities in these states may regulate pesticides differently. This creates unequal protection for citizens based on their zip code. NPMA supports science-based decision making, and therefore believes that state lead agencies and the EPA are the best regulators of pesticides. 

 

“Pesticides are already rigorously regulated at the federal and state levels to ensure safety. That’s why I’ve introduced legislation to ensure states maintain their status as the sole co-regulator with the federal government to prevent liberal cities and towns from creating a patchwork of regulations that are confusing and burdensome to users, and ultimately do not contribute to health or safety in any positive way. I look forward to working with industry advocates and my colleagues in Congress to move this bill forward as we look to the next Farm Bill,” said Davis. 

 

NPMA strongly believes that by passing pesticide preemption at the federal level, the EPA and the state lead agency should be the only regulatory entities responsible for registration, sale, and use of pest control products. This bill clarifies the exclusive role of state lead agencies, preventing localities from imposing a patchwork of conflicting regulatory restrictions without scientific assessment, economic analysis, consideration of the rights of property owners to control pests, or responsibility of public health agencies to control disease vectors. 

 

For more on NPMA’s position regarding preemption, contact Ashley Amidon, NPMA Vice President of Public Policy, at aamidon@pestworld.org.