Liz Saville Roberts: “Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1627, the Food Quality Protection Act, represents nearly a decade of effort to modernize the Federal…”

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1627, the Food Quality Protection Act, represents nearly a decade of effort to modernize the Federal pesticide regulatory system. Today the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Commerce will accomplish what many thought simply could not be done; that is, successful consideration on the floor of a pesticide reform bill. Mr. Speaker, this bill has been cosponsored by over 240 Members. This bill was made possible by a recognition from all sides of the debate that the proper use of safe pesticides is a critical element in protecting public health and ensuring a safe, abundant, and affordable food supply for our American consumers. To that end, H.R. 1627 does provide wide latitude for the Environmental Protection Agency to adapt its regulatory system to meet the constantly improving scientific information that is available. H.R. 1627 reforms the outdated Delaney clause to allow modern science, rather than arbitrary rules, to be used in evaluating pesticide risks and benefits.”