October 14, 2024
Dear Chairwoman Stabenow, Chairman Thompson, Ranking Member Boozman, and Ranking Member Scott,
In recent weeks, we have observed significant misunderstandings regarding tools farmers, ranchers, public
health officials, land managers, and others need to produce our nation’s food, fuel, and fiber supplies;
maintain public health initiatives; protect public lands; and preserve infrastructure, among other uses. These tools, including pesticides and genetic innovations, are safe, appropriately regulated, and essential for maintaining American competitiveness and national security. We strongly urge Congress and federal
regulators to reject any efforts to undermine the existing risk- and science-based regulatory frameworks for
these technologies, which would make the U.S. more reliant on foreign competitors for food and agricultural goods.
Safe, affordable, and abundant supplies of agricultural products are essential to the wellbeing of our country. For decades, millions of American farmers and ranchers have dutifully supplied these goods to U.S. consumers. However, without continued access to safe, appropriately regulated agricultural inputs, the ability to supply these vital agriculture products cannot be ensured. Weeds, insects, and fungus outbreaks can inflict significant crop yield losses. They can also infest grazing lands to the point they are unusable for livestock and contribute to wildfire fuel loads. Without continued access to pesticidal tools needed to protect against devastating pests, U.S. farm and ranch operations would quickly become economically unsustainable, jeopardizing our ability to provide affordable food and other agricultural products to consumers.