To amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to provide for improved coordination between the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 5564 aims to amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to enhance coordination between the EPA Administrator and the Secretary of Agriculture. The bill focuses on improving the risk mitigation measures for registered pesticides. It also emphasizes the use of data and information in pesticide regulation and registration review processes.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely lead to more collaboration between the EPA and the Department of Agriculture regarding pesticide regulation. This could result in more balanced decisions that consider both environmental and agricultural concerns. It may also affect the implementation of the Endangered Species Act concerning pesticide use.
Potential Benefits
- Improved coordination could lead to more practical and effective risk mitigation measures.
- Economic analysis of risk mitigation measures could help reduce the financial burden on growers and state agencies.
- The use of agronomic data and information on alternatives could lead to better-informed decisions about pesticide registration and use.
- Coordination on Endangered Species Act implementation could reduce conflicts and improve outcomes for both species and pesticide users.
- The waiver provision allows for flexibility in specific cases where coordination is unnecessary or impractical.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased coordination could slow down the regulatory process.
- Economic analysis requirements could add to the cost and complexity of pesticide regulation.
- The waiver provision could be used to bypass coordination requirements in some cases.
- The focus on economic considerations could potentially overshadow environmental concerns.
- The bill may not fully address concerns about the potential impacts of pesticides on human health and the environment.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8) by regulating the sale and use of pesticides, which are items in interstate commerce. It also relates to the Necessary and Proper Clause (Article I, Section 8) as it provides a mechanism for implementing existing laws, such as the Endangered Species Act, through coordinated actions. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).