Stakeholder groups call on Congress to reaffirm federal pesticide preemption

More than 300 stakeholder groups called on Congress to reaffirm federal pesticide preemption on labeling and packaging. The groups warn failing to do so could result in dangerous consequences for food security, the environment, public health, vital infrastructure, and other uses where pesticides provide important societal benefits.

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The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act says 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. Recently, some states have sought to impose label requirements that contradict federal findings. The stakeholder groups claim this could erode public trust and lead to conflicting labels, disrupting commerce and access to vital tools. 

“State labels that conflict with EPA’s scientific guidance threaten public confidence in EPA’s authority and science-based regulation and contributes to the misunderstanding of the critical role pesticides play in sustainably feeding a growing world,” said Tom Haag, president of the National Corn Growers Association, in a news release.

Three hundred and thirty-two agricultural, environmental, academic, infrastructure, and other stakeholder groups signed a letter to congressional leadership, asking them to reaffirm that states may not impose additional labeling or packaging requirements that conflict with federal findings.

“Farmers and other pesticide users need predictable access to these tools to protect their crops and maintain important conservation practices,” said Brad Doyle, president of the American Soybean Association, in a news release. “Contradictory state labels that would create an unworkable patchwork risk disrupting access to pesticides, which would harm our food supply and the ability to protect our environment.”