Congressman Mackenzie Applauds Elimination of Carveout for Pesticide Manufacturers

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07), representing the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos, helped to pass an amendment to the Farm Bill today that eliminated a handout for manufacturers of pesticides, including glyphosate. The passage of the amendment to remove this handout follows Congressman Mackenzie's continued advocacy to House leadership including an earlier introduction of a similar amendment which would have also removed the language.

The original language of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act (better known as the "Farm Bill") contained a section that protected pesticide manufacturers from lawsuits stemming from their refusal to apply warning labels that go beyond what is required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In effect, the provision would have made it impossible for states and localities to require additional labels, such as ones corresponding with warnings made by bodies other than the EPA.

"The people of the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos want to see Congress stand up for health, safety, and accountability - not special interests," said Congressman Mackenzie. "Protecting the ability of states and localities to regulate the chemicals that enter their food, soil, and groundwater is the right choice for preserving public health and abiding by the Constitution. That's why I introduced an amendment striking the corporate carveout for pesticide manufacturers, and why I joined my colleagues in eliminating this language."

###