News

EPA’s Regan questioned on updated herbicide strategy

The U.S. EPA’s updated herbicide strategy was a focus during a House Appropriations Committee hearing on Tuesday.

The EPA released a draft herbicide strategy last summer to respond to courts requiring the agency to become more compliant with the Endangered Species Act.

North Carolina Republican Chuck Edwards said the strategy could add significant costs and new regulatory burdens to the ag community. “Many farmers say that they might go broke trying to comply with these new restrictions,” Rep. Edwards said, “while others wouldn’t even have a choice.”

EPA Administrator Michael Regan responded by saying the agency’s plan will minimize disruptions to farmers. “No farmer should wake up in the middle of a growing season and have to take a tool out of the toolbox,” Regan said.

Regan stated the courts have created the most restrictions. “We’re seeing the courts consistently both tie the farmer’s hands and tie the EPA’s hands,” Regan said. “I think we’ve seen that with dicamba and some other pesticides and herbicides that, quite frankly, many farmers rely on.”

Regan says the strategy has received support from the American Soybean Association and the Ag Retailers Association. EPA is expected to release its final herbicide strategy in August.