Iowa Senator Joni Ernst is concerned about the negative impact EPA’s proposed rule on atrazine could have on farmers. EPA is proposing to drastically reduce the currently allowable application levels of atrazine. She says this is despite all the science that supports its safety. Ernst says Senators pointed that out at a recent hearing with the agency.

If EPA’s proposed level becomes the standard, effective use of the herbicide would be unachievable and would represent a de facto ban on the use of atrazine. And Ernst says Congress will push back on that.

Without atrazine farm input costs could increase by 30 to 60 dollars per acre. Farmers would also lose a valuable tool for weed management and conservation on their farm.
The deadline to submit comments to EPA is October 4.