AFBF Appeal Pesticide Ruling

American Farm Bureau is asking the full Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals to review a ruling that the farm group said would require permits for pesticide uses, even if they are applied in compliance with pesticide labeling laws, according to Brownfield News. Farm Bureau said the ruling by a three-judge panel of the appeals court could lead to additional needless regulations on the use of crop protection tools.

The ruling stems from the case of the National Cotton Council versus the EPA. AFBF also expressed disappointment that the federal EPA is not seeking a rehearing on the matter. Instead, EPA has filed a motion asking the court to delay enforcement of the ruling for two years to provide the agency and state authorities time to develop and implement a permitting program.

Farm Bureau said a permitting program would impede the effective and timely use of pesticides and impose a burden on regulatory authorities.