SPONSOR: Diehl
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Agriculture by a vote of 13 to 10. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Administrative by a vote of 7 to 2.
This bill specifies that a pesticide registered by certain Federal agencies or a pesticide label consistent with certain Federal pesticide labeling requirements will satisfy any warning label requirement regarding cancer under any other provision of current law.
This bill is similar to SCS SB 1416 (2024).
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that glyphosate herbicides are one of the most extensively tested products in the nation. Regulatory testing in the United States and other countries has shown that these herbicides are not carcinogenic. When farmers and others use the pesticides in the manner prescribed by the label, the chemical is safe and effective. This bill will not shield companies from liability if the product is harmful.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Diehl; Leslie Alan Wegener; Associated Industries of Missouri; Ari Filip; Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, Modern Ag Alliance; Missouri Pork Association; Missouri Soybean Association; Catherine Hanaway; Missouri Corn Growers Association; Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Missouri Farm Bureau; Randy Rodgers, Missouri Agri Business Association; S. Eliza Lockwood, Bayer Crop Science; Missouri Cattlemens Association; and Stan Casteel.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that this bill gives pesticide companies immunity from the harm they cause Missourians. The health effect studies used to determine labeling are not conducted by a governmental agency; many times, the studies are conducted by the pesticides company and submitted to the governmental agency. Some studies have shown conflicting results to those submitted to federal regulators.
Testifying in person against the bill were Carol A. Elliott; Brenda A. Peculis, Ph.D.; Arnie Dienoff; Amy Gunn; Douglas Doughty; Ethan Duke; Matt Clement; and Trina Crawford. Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: