For more information contact:
Karen Reardon
Mobile: 202-595-4964
(Washington, D.C., September 15, 2020) – Today, RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) joined more than 300 organizations engaged with pesticide products to urge members of Congress to support the availability of safe and effective pesticides to protect our public health, infrastructure, and green spaces and to oppose H.R. 7940 and S. 4406. Download the letters sent to the U.S. House of Representatives and to the U.S. Senate.
“Consumers must have the assurance of product safety and efficacy provided by strong federal regulation by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Rigorous federal regulation under FIFRA is essential to the dual goals of maintaining public trust and delivering the products that protect public health and safety, property, public infrastructure, and natural resources. People must be able to trust the regulatory process and regulated products used every day around their homes and communities,” said Megan Provost, RISE President.
“The essential products provided by pesticide registrants to their professional and consumer customers are only possible through the strong federal and state regulatory partnership codified in FIFRA. Abandoning our industry’s federal statute and regulatory processes for a random, unscientific, patchwork approach will have an impact on public trust and on virtually every aspect of public health, safety, and environmental protection. In a letter sent to all members of the United States House of Representatives and Senate, we are asking members for their continued support of FIFRA and its uniform and scientifically rigorous system of pesticide regulation,” added Provost.
Products regulated by U.S. EPA and state regulatory agencies through FIFRA include those used to protect against rodents, mosquitoes and other vectors, diseases and pathogens; noxious and poisonous weeds; and invasive and non-native species that harm native species and ecosystems. FIFRA-regulated products are essential for protecting homes from termite and cockroach infestations, creating firebreaks in forests, providing clear lines of sight on roadways, and keeping shipping lanes and recreational waters free of invasive plants. Products regulated under FIFRA also create safe and beautiful outdoor recreational spaces such as yards and parks.
About RISE
RISE is the national trade association representing manufacturers, formulators, distributors and other industry leaders in the specialty pesticide and fertilizer industry. Visit the RISE website at www.pestfacts.org for more information.