Supreme Court Decision Tightens Pesticide Regulation

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to re-open the case of the National Cotton Council vs. the Environmental Protection Agency, Farm Progress reports. Now, barring legislative relief, farmers can be held liable for drift of pesticides and other chemicals that may find their way into waters and streams.

Historically, agricultural pest management activities have been treated as nonpoint sources under the Clean Water Act and have not required National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits.

In a statement, American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said the Supreme Court’s decision not to revisit the case compounds the mistake made by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

“All farmers know they must use chemicals properly. They also know the label on each chemical they use is the law of the land,” Stallman said. “Going through redundant bureaucratic red tape for a duplicate permit to apply a safe product is preposterous. That kind of regulatory overkill will not improve food safety or the environment.”