LAWMAKERS TAKE STAND AGAINST EPA SPRAY DRIFT TOLERANCE

Zero Tolerance Unacceptable

Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), a long-time friend of U.S. agriculture, dispatched a strongly worded letter to EPA Administrator Christie Whitman, advising her that a zero tolerance standard on pesticide spray drift is unacceptable. Senator McConnell secured the signatures of 12 other U.S. Senators, a number which is certain to get the attention of the Agency. The other Senators signing the McConnell letter were Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Senator Zell Miller (D-GA), Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY), Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond (R-MO), and Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO). The letter puts the Agency on notice that farm-state lawmakers are closely watching its development of new policy on drift and expect the result to be fair and balanced. The letter puts a significant portion of the U.S. Senate on record against any kind of heavy-handed regulation EPA may be considering.