News

CropLife seeks to intervene in lawsuit

CropLife America has made a motion to intervene in a lawsuit filed against the U.S. EPA in California. According to DTN, the coalition of leading ag chemical companies will soon be joined by a coalition of ag commodity groups, including American Farm Bureau Federation, trying to challenge the settlement as well, saying a settlement could have far reaching effects on crop production.

The DTN report says a federal court in northern California is allowing the EPA and two environmental groups to work out a settlement of the groups’ lawsuit filed in January. The lawsuit says the EPA violated federal law by failing to consult with federal wildlife officials about the potential effects of registered pesticides and other ag chemicals on hundreds of species. In their motion, CropLife America argues that their best interests would not be represented in the case.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have questioned EPA administrator Lisa Jackson in recent weeks on the agency’s “willingness to settle” instead of challenging lawsuits.

A Monday news release from the EPA says Jackson is travelling in southern California this week where she’ll visit farms near Fresno and meet with state and local ag leaders. A southern California paper says she will also meet with local environmental justice activists. The Central Valley Business Times says Jackson is visiting a diversified, mostly organic, crop and vegetable operation, and, a vineyard in the Fresno area.