Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Western Caucus Vice Chair Bruce Westerman (AR-04) and Rep. Jim Baird (IN-04) led a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan demanding the EPA withdraw the Vulnerable Species Pilot Project and Draft Herbicide Strategy Framework, renegotiate the Stipulated Settlement Agreement, and utilize United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and stakeholder expertise in production agriculture before proposing any future misguided actions that only create further uncertainty in rural America.

"Once again, the Biden Administration is hard at work imposing its heavy bureaucratic hand on rural America," said Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04). "The EPA's Vulnerable Species Pilot Program and the Draft Herbicide Strategy Framework will create greater uncertainty and have many negative, costly consequences for America's producers. These poorly planned proposals also ignore the science-driven, risk-based registration and review process while also disregarding stakeholder expertise. I call on the Biden Administration to immediately withdraw the proposed Pilot Program and Herbicide Strategy and to utilize proper stakeholder perspectives before proposing any future misguided actions that only create further uncertainty in rural America."

“The EPA’s proposals for the Vulnerable Species Pilot Program and Draft Herbicide Strategy Framework only compound the bureaucratic challenges that American farmers and ranchers already struggle to navigate,” said Vice Chair Bruce Westerman (AR-04). “These poorly planned and out-of-touch proposals will have staggering effects on Arkansas agriculture, hindering our nation’s food supply. The EPA’s failure to engage with expert stakeholders or to utilize the proper science-based processes further proves this Administration’s sheer disregard for the needs of rural America. I’m proud to lead the charge alongside Chairman Newhouse and Chairman Baird in calling on the EPA to immediately withdraw these onerous proposals and work with expert stakeholders to avoid any future misguided actions such as these.”

“The EPA’s Pilot Program will force producers who already adhere to strict guidelines to comply with further restrictions on crop protection tools,” said Rep. Jim Baird (IN-04). “The EPA has failed to consider that many of this program’s measures are unsuitable for certain producers. I respectfully urge the EPA to withdraw the Pilot Program and Herbicide Strategy and utilize USDA expertise before proposing any future actions that could create uncertainty for rural America.”

Western Caucus Members that signed onto the letter are Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Vice Chair Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Jim Baird (IN-04), Vice Chair Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Vice Chair Adrian Smith (NE-03), Vice Chair Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Don Bacon (NE-02), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Mark Alford (MO-04), Harriet Hageman (WY-AL), Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Jason Smith (MO-08), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Ron Estes (KS-04), Byron Donalds (FL-19), Tracey Mann (KS-01), Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03), Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL), , Austin Scott (GA-08), Mike Flood (NE-01), Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), Jerry Carl (AL-01), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Mike Bost (IL-12), Larry Bucshon (IN-08), Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05), ), Kat Cammack (FL-03), Jake LaTurner (KS-02), Brad Finstad (MN-01), David Rouzer (NC-07), Barry Moore (AL-02), David Valadao (CA-22), Gary Palmer (AL-06), and Rick Crawford (AR-01).

Members who are not in the Western Caucus but signed onto the letter are Representatives Mary Miller (IL-15), Trent Kelly (MS-01), John Moolenaar (MI-02), Mike Ezell (MS-04), Mike Rogers (AL-03), Andy Ogles (TN-05), Michael Waltz (FL-06), Sam Graves (MO-06), Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Dale Strong (AL-05), Steve Womack (AR-03), Darin LaHood (IL-16), Scott Franklin (FL-18), Erin Houchin (IN-09), Nick Langworthy (NY-23), Max Miller (OH-07), Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Michael Guest (MS-03), John Rose (TN-06), and Daniel Webster (FL-11).

In addition to support from Members of Congress, various stakeholders supported the letter and released the following statements expressing their concern for the EPA’s Pilot Program and Herbicide Strategy.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “Farmers and ranchers care for the resources they’ve been entrusted with, especially when applying pesticides. Critical crop protection tools enable farmers to use climate-smart practices that help trap carbon in the soil, and use less water and fertilizer, while ensuring an abundant food supply for America’s families. The safety of pesticides has been scientifically proven. EPA must use the best available science when considering their strategy on necessary compliance with the Endangered Species Act, and should continue seeking input from the men and women who use crop protection tools on a regular basis.”

U.S. Canola Association President Andrew Moore: “Canola growers fully support sustainable agriculture, championing innovation and responsible farming practices. To this end, we encourage the EPA to withdraw its endangered species pilot program and herbicide strategy, engaging instead with the USDA and other stakeholders to develop practical solutions that prioritize both environmental protection and the viability of American agriculture. Mitigations should be cost-effective, targeted and flexible."

National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance Chair Mark Wagoner: “Alfalfa farmers produce one of the most environmentally beneficial crops found on the landscape. Alfalfa is the Nation’s 4^th most valuable field crop and its contributions to soil conservation, nitrogen fixation, energy savings, crop rotation, and wildlife habitat is unsurpassed. However, farmers need the regulatory certainty provided by the current registration and registration review process established under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) for the availability of critical crop protection tools. To that end, NAFA strongly encourages EPA to withdraw its endangered species pilot program and herbicide strategy and, instead, engage with USDA and other stakeholders to develop practical solutions that balance necessary environmental protections with the needs and economic prosperity of the American farmers who provide food security for our country. If implemented as currently drafted, these proposals will dramatically increase uncertainty within the agricultural community and inflict undue burdens on farmers.”

Other supporting organizations included: American Soybean Association, U.S. Beet Sugar Association, American Sugarbeet Growers Association, and the California Specialty Crops Council.