Feb 10, 2010
PUERTO RICO – A sound, science-based regulatory structure from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the key for future agricultural production, said Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CropLife America (CLA), speaking to a crowd of industry leaders at the Winfield Solutions Emerald Extras conference in Puerto Rico on February 5. Principal attendees at the Emerald Extras event included more than 300 of the top retail facility partners in the Winfield system, representing major farming areas from more than 40 states. Vroom highlighted some of the top regulatory issues which CLA is actively addressing in Washington, DC. He also called for a unified industry voice and action in the continued advancement of modern agriculture.
“As the global population expands at a breathtaking pace, crop protection and other modern agricultural practices are essential to producing additional crops safely and sustainably,” said Vroom. “Unfortunately, EPA has shifted away from sound science and towards a hazard-based analysis that potentially obstructs our farmers from growing more food.”
Vroom mentioned some regulatory concerns and actions which move away from a scientific base. Such examples include the EPA proposal for a “zero-drift” spray drift policy, which the agency has readily admitted to be an impossible standard. A similar example is the action surrounding the Endangered Species Act (ESA), in which EPA is said to have failed to consult with counterpart ESA-government agencies -- and the court-driven outcomes rarely follow actual scientific facts when considering the application of crop protection products near threatened species.
Vroom also reported on the ongoing tribulations driven by a 6th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in January 2009 striking down an EPA regulation which attempted to remove a need to gain Clean Water Act point source permits for certain applications of pesticides. "The court's decision adds a redundant regulatory layer creating cumbersome time constraints and potential increased exposure to liability and citizen suits. Additionally, the court's decision could be expanded to mandate permits for terrestrial applications which would then involve almost all farm uses. CLA has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the lower court action, and we're working to encourage EPA to implement the most reasonable application of the 6th Circuit's decision in case our Supreme Court appeal is not successful," Vroom said.
“In meeting our regulatory challenges, we should not overlook the fact that modern agricultural practices are scientifically sound and rigorously tested, environmentally sustainable and, most importantly, used responsibly,” continued Vroom. “CLA is working hard to help inform policymakers of the many environmental contributions our farmers provide and the important role that U.S. agricultural exports play in helping to feed a hungry world. Our success in relaying this critical message will be even greater when backed by a unified voice of support across all agricultural sectors.”
