OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Letter to the Hon. Gina McCarthy, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency - Demanding EPA Use Sound Science

Letter

By: Charles Boustany, Jr., Rick Crawford, Billy Long, Frank Lucas, Filemon Vela, Jr., Ralph Abraham, Rod Blum, Mark Walker, Fred Upton, Ted Poe, Martha McSally, Bradley Byrne, Doug Lamborn, Brad Wenstrup, John Ratcliffe, Mike Kelly, Jr., Ted Yoho, Daniel Webster, Dan Newhouse, Tom Rooney, Lynn Jenkins, Morgan Griffith, Scott DesJarlais, Larry Bucshon, Pete Sessions, Kristi Noem, Chris Collins, Mike Pompeo, Gregg Harper, Randy Hultgren, Thomas Massie, Randy Neugebauer, Dan Benishek, Mike Turner, Steven Palazzo, Glenn Grothman, Gary Palmer, Bob Latta, Steve Scalise, Bill Johnson, Ken Buck, Adam Kinzinger, Louie Gohmert, Tom Emmer, Rodney Davis, Bennie Thompson, Walter Jones, Jr., Sam Graves, Richard Hudson, Jr., Tom Graves, Jr., John Carter, Mac Thornberry, Kevin Cramer, Sean Duffy, Robert Aderholt, Steve Chabot, Kevin Yoder, Jeff Duncan, Trent Franks, Mark Meadows, Tim Huelskamp, David Schweikert, Scott Tipton, Tim Walberg, Pat Tiberi, Ander Crenshaw, Luke Messer, John Shimkus, Randy Weber, Sr., Darin LaHood, Marlin Stutzman, Brad Ashford, Steve Pearce, Jim Sensenbrenner, Jr., Michael Coffman, Bruce Westerman, Adrian Smith, John Moolenaar, Raúl Labrador, Ryan Zinke, Jim Renacci, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Steve King, French Hill, Todd Young, Mario Diaz-Balart, Mike Bost, Jackie Walorski, Ann Wagner, Henry Cuellar, Blake Farenthold, Bob Gibbs, Brian Babin, Paul Gosar, David Rouzer, Vicky Hartzler, Warren Davidson, Dave Brat, Bill Flores, Steve Stivers, Todd Rokita, Jeff Fortenberry, Lamar Smith, Stephen Fincher, Bob Goodlatte, Susan Brooks
Date: Nov. 2, 2016
Location: Lafayette, LA
Issues: Government Operations Agriculture and Food

Dear Madam Administrator:

The undersigned Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are writing to express our concern with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) draft ecological risk assessment on atrazine. In its present form, it would have a significant negative impact on farmers and rural communities nationwide.

Atrazine has been used for decades as an effective herbicide for tens of thousands of growers, and it is particularly important for corn, sugar cane and sorghum producers. Moreover, it is one of the most thoroughly studied herbicides used today, accounting for nearly 7,000 scientific studies. Unfortunately, EPA's draft ecological risk assessment throws its future use into doubt, an outcome that, according to many, may not be scientifically justified. This criticism appears to be borne out by the agency's approach, where it is setting standards on studies that the EPA's own Science Advisory Panel considered "flawed" in 2012.

When used properly and in accordance with label instructions, atrazine is one of the most vital herbicides available to farmers. It has been used safely for more than fifty years and is a critical tool in assuring the sustainability of many farms nationwide. Farmers are great stewards of their land, and they understand the importance of using safe products on their crops. Limiting atrazine would create a reliance on more expensive and environmentally harmful pesticides, and make conservation efforts more difficult by impeding farming methods such as no-till or strip-till.

It would be irresponsible to greatly restrict one of the safest and most trusted herbicides on the market. Various economic analysis studies show farming without atrazine could cost growers up to $59 per acre. This is especially detrimental to the small family farms that would be hurt by an unsubstantiated government decision.

With this information in mind we ask that you take into account the needs of farmers and use sound science when finalizing the ecological risk assessment for atrazine. It is imperative that EPA take the science and public comments seriously and revise the preliminary ecological risk assessment using the best available data. We look forward to your response.


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