A coalition of agricultural organizations has sent a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, urging the agency to rely on sound, science-based decision-making when evaluating and regulating agricultural inputs, particularly pesticides. The groups emphasized that access to safe and effective crop-protection tools is essential for maintaining food security, affordability, and public health.
In the letter, the organizations highlighted the importance of a strong agricultural system in supporting national health goals. They noted that “this includes encouraging increased consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein. However, access to safe and effective pesticide products is essential to achieve these goals.” The groups stressed that pesticides play a critical role across all segments of agriculture, from specialty crops to row crops, helping farmers manage pests, diseases, and weeds while protecting yields.
The letter specifically called on Administrator Zeldin to defend the EPA’s existing scientific framework. Agricultural leaders asked him to “uphold EPA’s rigorous, science-based registration process, recognizing its critical role in achieving our shared goals to feed the nation and keep food affordable.” They argued that weakening or delaying this process could undermine both domestic production and consumer access to affordable food.
Much of the letter focused on the goals of the Make America Healthy Again Commission, particularly its emphasis on innovation and affordability. While supporting the commission’s objectives, the organizations noted that other countries are often able to take advantage of new crop-protection technologies sooner, while the United States lags behind in approvals. This delay, they warned, can put U.S. farmers at a competitive disadvantage in global markets.
The groups further emphasized the importance of EPA’s internal scientific expertise, urging Administrator Zeldin to ”continue to uphold the science-based mission of the Office of Pesticide Programs’ career scientists, whose thorough data reviews and technical analyses underpin EPA’s determinations that registered pesticides meet safety and efficacy standards. The agriculture community stands ready to support you in successfully delivering innovative, safe, sustainable and effective tools to U.S. agriculture in an efficient and transparent manner using gold standard science.”
The letter was signed by a broad range of organizations representing farmers, growers, and agribusinesses across the Southeast and the nation. Signatories include the Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Nursery & Landscape Association, Alabama Soybean and Corn Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, American Sugar Alliance, Florida Citrus Mutual, Florida Farm Bureau Federation, Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association, Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Georgia Cotton Commission, Georgia Green Industry Association, Georgia Urban Agriculture Council, the Georgia/Florida Soybean Association, and others.
Together, the groups reinforced a unified message: science-based regulation is essential to innovation, sustainability, and the long-term success of U.S. agriculture.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.