The top Republicans on the House and Senate Ag committees are pleading with the Environmental Protection Agency to reverse its decision revoking all food tolerances for chlorpyrifos.
In a letter, led by Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., and Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Pa., and signed by more than 30 Republican members of the Ag committees, EPA administrator Michael Regan is also asked for assurances that “future EPA actions related to the registration or registration review of crop protection tools will be conducted consistent with the science-based, regulatory process required under EPA’s congressionally-mandated authorities.”
The lawmakers say the August decision to ban the input’s use on food crops “undermines the scientifically rigorous work of the Agency.”
“EPA’s blatant disregard for the work of its career scientists and the significant confusion the Agency’s decision has created for producers, channels of trade, and our nation’s food supply has inserted further uncertainty and stress for producers,” the letter said, saying those same producers are already dealing with supply chain issues and making decisions about future growing seasons.
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While the lawmakers want the EPA to rescind its August decision, they say “at a bare minimum, EPA should delay the effective date of its August 2021 final rule until the Agency has provided complete and final answers to the regulated community on the phase-out implementation of this critical crop protection tool.”
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