Opening Statement by Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson Business Meeting to Consider H.R. 872, the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011 March 9, 2011

Opening Statement by Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson
Business Meeting to Consider H.R. 872, the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011
March 9, 2011

--As Prepared for Delivery--

“Good morning and thank you Chairman Lucas for holding today’s meeting.

“Today the Committee is considering H.R. 872, the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011. The legislation will relieve producers from a potentially costly regulatory burden that would do little, if anything, to protect the environment.

“In 2006 the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a 2006 EPA rule which specifically exempted permitting of certain pesticide applications under the Clean Water Act. The court’s decision pre-empts the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, or FIFRA, by the Clean Water Act for the first time in the history of either statute.

“This was not the intent of Congress.

“The legislation we are considering today would restore congressional intent and address the court’s ruling by amending both the Clean Water Act and FIFRA to prohibit permits for pesticide application when pesticides are applied consistent with FIFRA.

“Clean Water Act permitting requirements would place a massive burden and responsibility on the states and the EPA. I think I speak for many of us when I say the last thing we need is more regulation coming from the EPA in this area.

“Last fall I introduced legislation to address this issue and I am pleased to see the Committee take up the bill before us today.

“For too long we’ve watched organizations use the courts to twist laws against American farmers and agricultural production. If we don’t work together to find a solution, producers will likely continue being told how to operate by lawyers and judges who don’t understand agriculture. The courts are not the place to decide agriculture policy. This legislation is a step in the right direction to address this problem.

“I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.”