Letter
Dear Chairs Stabenow and Thompson and Ranking Members Boozman and Scott:
On behalf of the diverse undersigned organizations, representing pesticide manufacturers, formulators, distributors, and environmental non-governmental organizations, we are writing to express our support for the continuation of the role of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Interagency Work Group (IWG). We support the efforts being undertaken by both career staff and the IWG to make progress on improving the process for Endangered Species Act (ESA) review for pesticide registration decisions.
The 2018 Farm Bill created the IWG, comprised of representatives from the Council on Environmental Quality, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Commerce, Department of the Interior, and Department of Agriculture. Congress charged the IWG with identifying and implementing improvements to the ESA review process for pesticides and engaging with stakeholders to help facilitate their input in these efforts. The IWG has made progress since the enactment of the 2018 Farm Bill and its work should continue.
In the face of an ever-changing landscape of threats to wildlife and the importance of science-based regulation, regulatory certainty and practicable yet effective approaches to growers and other pesticide users, open conversations and innovative solutions to address these complex problems are critical.
The collaborative processes, including webinars, meetings, listening sessions, and working groups, initiated and facilitated by both career staff and the IWG continue to advance solutions which will hopefully stand the test of time. By convening stakeholders from industry, federal agencies, state agencies, grower groups, environmental justice advocates, and environmental non-government organizations, these processes have significantly helped in repairing trust and allow all stakeholders to recognize that their inputs are meaningfully considered.
At this critical juncture it is imperative that career staff and the IWG retain the funding, institutional support, and resources necessary to continue these efforts. Though stakeholders may not fully agree on the best course of action to address the longstanding challenges of improving this process and enacting species protections, having forums to gather at facilitated by trusted federal agencies has been valuable and appreciated by each of us. Therefore, we request that the IWG be reauthorized in the 2024 Farm Bill.
Sincerely,
American Bird Conservancy
American Hort
American Mushroom Institute
American Soybean Association
American Sugarbeet Growers Association
California Specialty Crops Council
Center for Biological Diversity
Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology
CropLife America
Defenders of Wildlife
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
International Fresh Produce Association
National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants
National Association of Landscape Professionals
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
National Association of Wheat Growers
National Corn Growers Association
National Onion Association
National Pest Management Association
National Potato Council
National Wildlife Federation
Natural Resource Defense Council
RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)
Sierra Club
Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Contact Information
Sender:
Agricultural Coalition
Subject:
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Interagency Work Group
