In recent days, the Michigan Agri-Business Association weighed in with comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding its revised proposal on Atrazine use. While MABA acknowledges the EPA’s efforts to address previous concerns expressed by industry, significant issues remain, including the continued use in the review of flawed scientific studies that were not reviewed by the EPA’s Scientific Advisory Panel. “[Under the revised assessment], mitigation would be required across a much greater percentage of Michigan and U.S. corn acres than necessary,” wrote MABA President Chuck Lippstreu. “We echo the concerns of many in agriculture that even with an expanded mitigation menu, not all practices will work for all farms, and as proposed, this new measure would hamstring both the industry’s economic success and its stewardship efforts.” Atrazine has been a critical, proven tool for Michigan farmers for over six decades, supported by thousands of studies demonstrating its safety. It plays a vital role in supporting economic success and farmer-led stewardship. This formal comment is one step in MABA’s overall effort to promote sound science- and risk-based regulatory policies for pesticide use. Read MABA’s comment here. Formal comments from other Michigan agricultural organizations can be viewed at these links: Comment from the Michigan Corn Growers Association Comment from the Michigan Farm Bureau #
