U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) is taking another swing at the SWAT act. He, along with Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Mike Braun (R-IN), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) reintroduced the bipartisan Spotted Wing Abatement Trust (SWAT) Act that would reduce the spread of spotted wing drosophila (SWD). It would also advance research on the invasive insect that is hurting fruit growers …
Organizations Voice Support for Existing Pesticide Law
More than 400 organizations affirmed the support of the pesticide regulatory system under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, or FIFRA, in a letter to lawmakers this week. The letter is in response to recently introduced legislation that the organizations say would undermine the science-based standards contained within our nation’s pesticide law. This is the third time these organizations …
EPA Proposes Changes to Agricultural Worker Protection Standard
There could soon be changes to certain agricultural pesticide use rules, as the Biden administration seeks to change some adjustments made in 2020. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed rule that would change the pesticide Application Exclusion Zone (AEZ) requirements under the 2015 Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS). In 2015, EPA made significant changes to the …
Problems with Insect Protein
Can insects really be the main source of animal protein in a healthy diet? That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The use of insect protein is becoming more popular around the world, and some are saying it’s a sustainable primary source of animal protein. But now, the organization Doctors for Disaster Preparedness says that may not be so. …
Technology to Prevent Pest Invasions
Using technology to prevent pest invasions. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. This week we’re focusing on technology in agriculture. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service or APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) uses the sterile insect technique to prevent invasions of damaging exotic fruit fly pests, which are among the most destructive pests of fruits …
Battle over Atrazine Continues
Late last month, the Environmental Protection Agency reopened the finalized reregistration of atrazine. The EPA proposes an extremely low ecological level of concern value for atrazine of just 3.4 parts per billion, down from the scientifically proven 15 parts per billion, according to Gary Marshall, Triazine Network Co-Chair and retired Missouri Corn Growers Association CEO. “In 2019, the EPA agreed …
Growers Disappointed Supreme Court Decides Not to Hear Glyphosate Case
Agriculture groups expressed disappointment regarding a Supreme Court decision denying consideration of the case Monsanto v. Hardeman, which pertains to state glyphosate health warnings. A coalition of groups issued a joint statement regarding the decision Tuesday, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, and National Cotton Council. The joint …
Growers Frustrated with EPA Regarding Pesticide Impacts
American farmers are again at odds with the Environmental Protection Agency over the Endangered Species Act. The final EPA biological evaluations of neonicotinoids and their impacts on endangered species are overly conservative and don’t use all available data, according to the farm groups. Grower groups like the American Soybean Association and the American Farm Bureau Federation are concerned the evaluations …
APHIS Funding for New Pest Management Projects
Funding to help new developments when it comes to plant pests. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) invites stakeholders to submit project suggestions for fiscal year 2023 Plant Protection Act funding. APHIS will provide $75 million in plant protection funding for these projects, including at least $7.5 …
Low Pesticide Residues on Fresh Produce
How safe is your fresh produce? We answer that question coming up on this land of ours. Fresh fruits and vegetables and known for being healthy for us, but sometimes misinformation is put out about pesticide residue. One organization even claims to base its misinformation on a government study. So, advocates of healthy foods for American families went to work …