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Ag groups defend atrazine
A broad coalition of agriculture groups—ranging from sorghum growers in Nebraska to grape growers in California—have written EPA administrator Lisa Jackson in defense of the herbicide atrazine.
In their letter, the groups point out that atrazine is a critical tool in the production of many crops, including corn, sorghum, sugar cane and citrus. And they stress that it has been used safely for 50 years in over 60 countries.
The EPA will begin another evaluation of atrazine as part of a series of scientific advisory panels, which will begin on February 2nd. The coalition of ag groups says it will be actively involved in the EPA re-evaluation of atrazine and will insist that any decisions be based on what they call “transparent, peer-reviewed science.” They say atrazine has become the target of a coordinated attack by environmental groups seeking to eliminate its use.
Among the groups signing the letter are the National Corn Growers Association and National Sorghum Producers.
Other groups which signed the letter include:
- Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Assn
- Illinois Farm Bureau
- Illinois Corn Growers Association
- Iowa Corn Growers Association
- Iowa Farm Bureau
- Indiana Plant Food and Ag Chemicals Assn
- Missouri Agribusiness Association
- Missouri Corn Growers Association
- Nebraska Corn Growers Association
- Nebraska Grain Sorghum Producers
- Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board
- South Dakota Corn Growers Association
Tags: Herbicides, NCGA
Anyone who cares about fertility and cancer risk will want to read the joint report from the Pesticide Action Network and the Land Stewardship Project on Atrazine, described as causing “chemical castration” by researcher Tyrone Hayes at the U. of California:
http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/pdf/AtrazineReportJan2010.pdf