Rep. Baird demands EPA withdraw Vulnerable Species Pilot Program and Draft Herbicide Strategy Framework

Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04), Chair of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology, along with Congressman Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, and Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan demanding his agency withdraw its Vulnerable Species Pilot Program and Draft Herbicide Strategy Framework.

“The EPA’s Vulnerable Species Pilot Program and Draft Herbicide Strategy Framework will force producers who already adhere to strict guidelines to comply with further restrictions on crop protection tools,” said Chairman Baird. “The EPA has failed to consider that many of this program’s measures are unsuitable for certain producers. I respectfully urge the EPA to withdraw the Pilot Program and Herbicide Strategy and utilize USDA expertise before proposing any future actions that could create uncertainty for rural America.”

"Once again, the Biden Administration is hard at work imposing its heavy bureaucratic hand on rural America," said Chairman Dan Newhouse. "The EPA's Vulnerable Species Pilot Program and the Draft Herbicide Strategy Framework will create greater uncertainty and have many negative, costly consequences for America's producers. These poorly planned proposals also ignore the science-driven, risk-based registration and review process while also disregarding stakeholder expertise. I call on the Biden Administration to immediately withdraw the proposed Pilot Program and Herbicide Strategy and to utilize proper stakeholder perspectives before proposing any future misguided actions that only create further uncertainty in rural America."

“The EPA’s proposals for the Vulnerable Species Pilot Program and Draft Herbicide Strategy Framework only compound the bureaucratic challenges that American farmers and ranchers already struggle to navigate,” said Chairman Westerman. “These poorly planned and out-of-touch proposals will have staggering effects on Arkansas agriculture, hindering our nation’s food supply. The EPA’s failure to engage with expert stakeholders or to utilize the proper science-based processes further proves this Administration’s sheer disregard for the needs of rural America. I’m proud to lead the charge alongside Chairman Newhouse and Chairman Baird in calling on the EPA to immediately withdraw these onerous proposals and work with expert stakeholders to avoid any future misguided actions such as these.”

“Indiana Farm Bureau is appreciative of Rep. Jim Baird and others who submitted a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asking to withdraw the Pilot Program and Herbicide Strategy,” said Indiana Farm Bureau President Randy Kron. “Farmers are incredible stewards of the land because we want to preserve it for future generations. However, this rule would limit the tools in a farmer’s toolbox to grow food, fuel and fiber for the world. We’re hopeful the EPA will seek guidance from producers in the future when proposing rules that could have such a great impact on food security.”

“Alfalfa farmers produce one of the most environmentally beneficial crops found on the landscape. Alfalfa is the nation’s 4th most valuable field crop and its contributions to soil conservation, nitrogen fixation, energy savings, crop rotation, and wildlife habitat is unsurpassed. However, farmers need the regulatory certainty provided by the current registration and registration review process established under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) for the availability of critical crop protection tools,” said Mark Wagoner, Chair of the National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance. “To that end, NAFA strongly encourages EPA to withdraw its endangered species pilot program and herbicide strategy and, instead, engage with USDA and other stakeholders to develop practical solutions that balance necessary environmental protections with the needs and economic prosperity of the American farmers who provide food security for our country. If implemented as currently drafted, these proposals will dramatically increase uncertainty within the agricultural community and inflict undue burdens on farmers.”

Read the full letter here.