Nebraska and Iowa are among 11 states urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to standardize farm chemical labeling to prevent state-level inconsistencies.
Aaron Sanderford reports for Nebraska Examiner.
In short:
- Nebraska and Iowa Attorneys General are part of an 11-state coalition requesting the EPA to establish a unified rule for farm chemical labeling to avoid state-by-state variations.
- This initiative is a response to California's decision to label glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, as a carcinogen, which states like Nebraska argue is inconsistent with existing EPA studies.
- Farmers express concern that diverse state regulations could increase farming costs and legal liabilities.
Key quote:
“There’s no way that a state like California should tell a farmer in Nebraska or Iowa how to farm.”
— Brenna Bird, Iowa Attorney General
Why this matters:
This effort reflects a broader tension between state and federal regulations regarding agricultural practices. Standardizing labels could impact farming costs and practices across the U.S.
