Key Points
- A coalition named the Modern Ag Alliance has been established, comprising over 60 diverse agriculture organizations, including leadership by Bayer, to support American farmers.
- The Alliance aims to safeguard farmers’ access to essential crop protection tools, critical for ensuring a robust and affordable food supply.
- The coalition emphasizes the importance of science-based regulation, particularly in pesticide registration and labeling consistent with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s standards.
- Crop protection tools are highlighted as vital for enabling regenerative agriculture practices that contribute to environmental sustainability and reduced farming impact.
Formation of the Modern Ag Alliance
In response to the growing need for consistent and science-based agricultural practices, various grower and industry groups across the United States have joined forces to form the Modern Ag Alliance. With Bayer leading the initiative, this coalition unites more than 60 agricultural organizations to advocate for legislative solutions that ensure farmers’ access to crucial crop protection tools.
Advocating for Science-Based Regulation
The Modern Ag Alliance is actively engaging with agricultural partners and policymakers to underscore the necessity of science-based regulation concerning pesticide use. The coalition stresses that pesticides registered with the EPA and labeled in accordance with the agency’s findings should meet health and safety warning requirements effectively.
Renee Fordyce, President of the Missouri Soybean Association, emphasized the need for legislative certainty: “Farmers need legislative certainty that enables them to have confidence in the access of these important crop protection tools…we’re looking to ensure that any provisions do not directly conflict with the scientific findings of the EPA.”
Support for Regenerative Agriculture Practices
The Alliance also highlights the role of crop protection tools in facilitating regenerative agriculture practices, such as no-till farming and planting cover crops, which are crucial for enhancing soil health and reducing environmental impact. Jolene Riessen, President of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and a farmer, voiced the importance of science-based tools in agriculture: “By providing us with a combination of conservation practices, new technology, and innovative approaches we can address the challenges faced in today’s rapidly changing agricultural landscape.”
The Critical Role of Pesticides in Modern Agriculture
The coalition argues that safe and effective pesticides, like glyphosate, are indispensable to modern agriculture, ensuring crop yield protection and contributing to food affordability amidst rising inflation. Jess Christiansen, Head of Crop Science Communications for Bayer, affirmed the coalition’s commitment to ensuring the availability of these essential tools: “Farmers need these critical innovations now more than ever – and certainty to ensure the continued long-term availability of products like glyphosate.”
Photo by Teo Sticea on Unsplash
