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Agricultural industry

National Corn Growers Association Successfully Advocates for Science-Based Policies on Pesticide Use

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent campaign by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) successfully pushed back against draft recommendations by the Make America Healthy Again Commission that could have compromised farmer access to key crop production tools, including the pesticides glyphosate and atrazine. The commission's final recommendations, released on September 9, reflect a major shift in tone and substance, reaffirming the Environmental Protection Agency as the appropriate agency for regulating crop inputs and omitting negative language about these pesticides.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NCGA worked tirelessly to push back against the draft recommendations, engaging in a call to action, sharing personal stories on the Pesticide Perspectives platform, and meeting with members of Congress to explain the importance of pesticides and their safe use.
  • The organization's efforts resulted in a significant shift in the commission's tone and substance, with the final recommendations reflecting a more science-based approach to pesticide use.
  • The NCGA's campaign was successful in integrating direct advocacy, communications, and grassroots strength for maximum impact, setting a powerful precedent for future policy priorities.
  • The commission's final recommendations added soil health and precision agriculture as new priorities, which the NCGA looks forward to engaging on further.
  • The NCGA remains vigilant, monitoring language in the final report related to cumulative exposure and engaging in the regulatory process to ensure that science-based policies and regulations are in place.

Statistics:

  • 70% reduction in corn yield if farmers were to lose access to glyphosate and atrazine (Source: NCGA)
  • 15% ethanol fuel blends: The NCGA aims to help increase new export opportunities and pass legislation allowing for year-round, nationwide consumer access to this fuel blend (Source: NCGA)

Sources:

  • "National Corn Growers Association." Kentucky Corn Growers Association, kentuckycormsga.org/what-we-do/our-story/kentucky-corn-growers-association/
  • McNitt, Lesly. "One of the many lessons I have learned during my two-plus decades in Washington is that shaping policy recommendations takes hard work and persistence..." EASTWOOD, KY -- The following information was released by the Kentucky Corn Growers Association (KyCGA).

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