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U.S. ag groups file brief urging SCOTUS to consider importance of pesticides

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments about whether or not federal law prevents states from implementing additional pesticide label requirements.

Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, executive director of the Modern Ag Alliance, says farmers and ranchers need federal pesticide label certainty.

“It is important for national security that we have the critical inputs that go into that supply chain,” she says. “We need to work towards making sure that we are safeguarding industries in this country.”

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court announced it would review the Durnell Roundup case, which could provide regulatory clarity. The Supreme Court ruling on the Durnell case will decide whether federal pesticide law (FIFRA) overrides state failure‑to‑warn claims regarding Roundup’s labeling when the EPA did not require a cancer warning. 

Ag groups across the country have filed briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court about the importance of glyphosate to U.S. agriculture.

John Shoup, executive director of the Indiana Ag Law Foundation, says a patchwork of state regulations could impact the availability of crop protection products.

“Missouri has attempted to impose different labeling requirements,” he says. “FIFRA explicitly prohibits states from imposing labeling requirements that are in addition to or different from those mandated federally.”

SCOTUS is set to hear the case beginning on April 27th. 

AUDIO: Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, Modern Ag Alliance

AUDIO: John Shoup, Indiana Ag Law Foundation