Press Releases

Washington, DC – Earlier today, as first reported by Agri-pulse, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) and Senators Kevin Cramer (ND) and Roger Marshall (KS) led a bicameral letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Regan and Unites States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Vilsack concerning the recent decision made on the uses of chlorpyrifos by the United States Court of Appeals for the 8^th Circuit. The letter specifically says:

“Protecting the use of critical crop protection tools, like chlorpyrifos, is of the utmost importance as our nation continues to make strides towards bolstering a strong domestic food supply, especially in the wake of a global pandemic and record inflation.”

Congressman Alford issued the following statement:

The decision handed down from the Court of Appeals for the 8^th Circuit is a huge win for America’s farmers and ranchers. Moving forward, the EPA must enforce this ruling without delay. With the 2024 growing season on the horizon, it is crucial that our producers have access to all uses of this tool. Chlorpyrifos is vital resource for our agriculture industry. I am proud to lead my colleagues in the House and Senate in this effort, alongside Senators Cramer and Marshall.

Senator Cramer added:

“Our producers have safely depended on chlorpyrifos to grow the food we need to sustain our state and country. The EPA’s decision was a political, foregone conclusion lacking scientific or legal justification. The Court was right to recognize the EPA’s intransigence and unwillingness to allow the use of chlorpyrifos for food and feed uses. The EPA should follow the Court’s ruling by revoking their unlawful ban.”

Senator Marshall said:

“I have serious concerns with this administration’s interagency, blanket posture of denying or limiting access to critical crop protection tools like Chlorpyrifos. As Americans weather record inflation causing grocery prices to skyrocket and global food insecurity, this administration needs to respect the Eight Circuit’s decision. We are calling on the Biden administration to stop politicizing agriculture to appease unelected activists and instead do their job and provide farmers with access to safe, effective pesticides. Our farmers must continue to efficiently and sustainably feed, clothe, and fuel the world without the federal government getting in the way.”

Media inquiries for Rep. Alford should be directed to Austin Higginbotham at Austin.Higginbotham@mail.house.gov.