Gilbert Gutknecht: “today's long-overdue passage of H.R. 1627, the Food Quality Protection Act, is further evidence that this Congress not…”

“today's long-overdue passage of H.R. 1627, the Food Quality Protection Act, is further evidence that this Congress not only talks about regulatory reform, but acts on it. Food processors and farmers in my district want to preserve the safety of our Nation's food supply. They also recognize that our technology has outgrown the regulatory demands of the Delaney Clause. For decades, they have urged Congress to update this law. I am pleased that today we have. I hope passage of H.R. 1627 will allow the House to move forward in passing another reform bill that enjoys bipartisan support--H.R. 3338, the Antimicrobial Pesticide Registration Reform Act. This bill allows for a separate regulatory definition for antimicrobial pesticides. Under current conditions, the EPA treats antimicrobials--substances like bleaches and cleansers that limit the growth of microogranisms--like more traditional pesticides, even though their uses differ significantly. This has caused unreasonable and unnecessary delays in getting improved products to market. I urge the House to continue to demonstrate its commitment to commonsense regulatory reform by acting on H.R. 3338.”