Crop Production Tools Are Facing A Backlog

Crop production tools are facing staffing and other challenges at the EPA and USDA, industry witnesses told the House Agriculture Committee this week.  Many in farm country say the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs needs more hands.

“Right now, over half a billion dollars in CPDA member products are stuck in the EPA’s regulatory backlog," said Terry Abbott, Chairman of the Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology.  "In turn, CPDA strongly supports full funding for EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs, and we encourage continued improvements under PRIA to strengthen transparency and predictability in the registration process.” 

PRIA refers to the 2004 “Pesticide Registration Improvement Act.”

Farmers Are Feeling The Delays

Grant funding cuts to universities and others working on crop tool development are another issue.  Abbott told lawmakers the bottom-line is this all hits farmers.

“The farmers, in general. They’re the ones that pay, right? Who’s using the chemistries out there, right now? We have new innovation, new ‘greener’ chemistries, and it’s all-around public safety, stewardship, and environmental stewardship,” Abbott said.

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