Steve Buyer: “the bill before us today is long overdue. I am delighted that this legislation has not only passed two House committees…”

“the bill before us today is long overdue. I am delighted that this legislation has not only passed two House committees but will pass the full House of Representatives today. There have been times that I never thought we would be able to get to this point. Those in the agribusiness industry know first hand what a truly historic agreement this is. I applaud the Agriculture Committee and the Commerce Committee for completing action on this legislation and bringing it to the floor of the House. Mr. Speaker, almost 4 years ago, I formed the Fifth District Agricultural and Rural Advisory Committee. Made of those who daily work in their agribusiness and farm communities, this committee listed reforms of the Delany clause as one of their top concerns. The efforts of the 104th Congress to bring common sense to this matter without endangering the supply of food in the United States is to be commended. H.R. 1627, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act [FIFRA], reforms the outdated Delaney clause and allows sound science to prevail. It offers a framework of standards that allows the EPA the flexibility to consider pertinent public health factors when setting pesticide residue levels. Mr. Speaker, most would agree that the United States enjoys the safest food supply in the world. The abundance and affordability is in large part due to the prudent use of pest control.”