Last week, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved the Sensible Environmental Protection Act. The measure eliminates the need for additional permits for pesticide use if it’s already been approved by FIFRA.

National Council of Farmer Cooperatives President and CEO, Chuck Connor says without this legislation, there’s just a huge amount of entangling red tape for farmers to overcome.

Connor says any violation of FIFRA is a violation of the law, so adding another Clean Water Act permit is simply not needed.

Connor says despite Democratic committee members led by Senator Barbara Boxer walking out of the hearing in opposition to the measure, he thinks the legislation will be approved by the full Senate.

Companion legislation has already passed out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.