Proposed Farm Bill Includes Language That Provides Regulatory Clarity

On April 13, the U.S House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture released the text of the proposed 2018 Farm Bill. As the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) noted in a memo, included in the proposed Farm Bill is language “which would codify the exclusive role of State lead agencies, not political subdivisions, as pesticide co-regulators as pesticide co-regulators and to ensure that the expertise these agencies possess is both valued and integrated through their formal role in the development of pre-publication drafts of EPA regulatory proposals and regulations in final form.” NPMA worked with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) to get this language inserted in the Farm Bill, and attendees at NPMA Legislative Day made their congressional representatives aware of this issue. “This is a tremendous development and a testament to our industry’s efforts on this issue the past year, but also an endorsement of this proposal being good policy that better enables PCO’s ability to protect public health,” said NPMA CEO Dominique Stumpf.

Also included in the Farm Bill was language addressing the other two issues Legislative Day attendees advocated for at NPMA Legislative Day: FIFRA/ESA reform and NPDES permits. NPMA noted that while these are clearly positive developments, “there are still many challenges before us. Unfortunately, the Farm Bill is mired in partisan disagreements over spending levels and worker requirements involving nutrition programs (SNAP) which will make passing a Farm Bill much more difficult.”

NPMA  anticipates a mark-up of the 2018 Farm Bill for next week, where the text of this bill will be debated and amendments will be offered. NPMA is heavily engaged in this process and working close with both Republican and Democrat Agriculture Committee members, Committee staff and industry allies. BUT, we will need your help!
  
NPMA will be sending several voter voices to Agriculture Committee members and then the full House of Representatives in the coming days and weeks. The association encourages members to be ready to be engaged and let your voice heard.