NASDA URGES EPA NOT TO CANCEL PESTICIDE
News Date February 18, 2008
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) has adopted a resolution urging the Environmental Protection Agency not to cancel the registration of a widely-used pesticide until effective, alternative products are available.
“The EPA’s proposal to cancel the crop protection chemical carbofuran is a matter of concern, particularly to our Midwestern corn growing states,” said North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson. “Carbofuran is also important to specialty crop producers, such as sunflower growers who use it to control stem weevils.”
In a letter to James Gulliford, EPA deputy administrator for prevention, pesticides and toxic substances, Johnson pointed out that NASDA members are especially concerned about the continued availability of effective agricultural products that are critical to producers and the farm economy.
“As you know, the state departments of agriculture have long been the lead state agencies for implementing federal pesticide laws, and we support efforts to ensure that chemical/pesticide use does not cause unreasonable adverse affects to human health and the environment,” he said.
NASDA members adopted the resolution on carbofuran during their recent midyear meeting in Washington.