More than 300 agricultural groups are raising concerns about legislation introduced in both the House and Senate to tighten regulations over pesticides. The Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act if enacted would effectively overhaul FIFRA (the federal insecticide fungicide and rodenticide act). Nebraska Farm Bureau’s National Affairs Coordinator Jordan Dux says most of the pesticides being targeted for elimination have gone through extensive testing and proven to be safe.

He says allowing activist groups who are pushing this legislation to move ahead puts science in the backseat and lets politics drive such decisions.

Dux says not only would this legislation eliminate several needed products it also prevents new and improved pesticide products from coming to the market.

The legislation would also permit anyone to submit a petition for a pesticide to be labeled as a dangerous pesticide and then would require an agency review.