On May 10, the U.S. Solicitor General (USG) issued a
brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to deny review of a case involving
glyphosate labeling, arguing that federal pesticide registration and labeling
requirements do not preclude states from imposing additional labeling
requirements, even if those requirements run counter to federal findings. The
new policy, as articulated by the USG, reverses longstanding federal policy.

On May 26, while testifying before the U.S. Senate
Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, Secretary Tom Vilsack confirmed
USDA had not been consulted on the Solicitor General’s brief before it was
issued.

“We believe it would be useful if the Administration
consults with USDA on the ramifications of a patchwork approach to crop
protection products,” said NAWG President and Washington wheat farmer, Nicole
Berg. “We encourage the Solicitor General to withdraw the brief and consult
with USDA.”

The dangerous reversal in position defies this federal
statute, decreases access for farmers and other users to much-needed tools to
produce food, fiber, and fuel safely and sustainably, and presents threats to
science-based regulation and international trade.

As NAWG and more than 50 other organizations stated in
a letter, we strongly urge the Administration to withdraw the brief and to
consult with the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding the implications of
this decision for food production, environmental sustainability, and
science-based regulation.

Image About NAWG

NAWG is the primary policy representative in
Washington D.C. for wheat growers, working to ensure a better future for
America’s growers, the industry, and the general public. NAWG works with a team
of 20 state wheat grower organizations to benefit the wheat industry at the
national level. From their offices on Capitol Hill, NAWG’s staff members are in
constant contact with state association representatives, NAWG grower leaders,
Members of Congress, Congressional staff members, Administration officials and
the public.