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AFBF and others appeal pesticide ruling

American Farm Bureau is asking the fullSixth Circuit Court of Appeals to review a ruling that the farm group says would require permits for pesticide uses, even if they are applied in compliance with pesticide labeling laws. Farm Bureau says the ruling by a three-judge panel of the appeals court could lead to additional needlessregulations on the use of crop protection tools.

The ruling stems from the case of the National Cotton Council versus the EPA.

AFBF also expressed disappointment that the federal EPA is not seeking a rehearing on the matter. Instead, EPA hasfiled a motion asking the court to delay enforcement of the ruling for two years to provide the agency and state authorities time to develop and implement a permitting program.

Farm Bureau says a permitting program would impede the effective and timely use of pesticides andimpose a burden on regulatory authorities.

Farm Bureau filed the friend of the court brief jointly with the American Forest & Paper Association, the National Cotton Council, Croplife and other industry groups.