The U.S. District Court of Northern California has dismissed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency – and the National Corn Growers Association is pleased with the decision. The lawsuit alleged that the EPA violated the Endangered Species Act when it failed to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service on hundreds of pesticide registrations. NCGA supports the ability of farmers to use products that have been approved within EPA’s rigorous registration process. NCGA President Pam Johnson says the dismissal of the case is a sweeping victory for growers who were faced with the possibility of major restrictions on previously approved crop protection products. She says the decision offers reassurance to the nation’s farmers that they are free to use products that have been deemed safe by the EPA. Johnson adds that it demonstrates a faith the group shares in the EPA’s extensive testing process.
The suit was filed in 2011. NCGA and other ag organizations joined the case as interveners to ensure growers would have a seat at the table in any potential settlement negotiations. NCGA took those actions because the suit posed a significant risk to agriculture by raising the possibility of court-ordered injunctions that could limit pesticide usage throughout the U.S. Atrazine and a number of other chemicals used by corn farmers were specifically named in the suit.
Source: NAFB News Service