GOP bill aims to cut red tape on pesticide permitting

U.S. Sens. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) are pressing legislation to ease what they describe as costly and redundant restrictions facing companies that spray pesticide on the nation's crops.

A 2012 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule requires the country’s roughly 35,000 pesticide applicators to receive permits. The rule was preceded by a court ruling that said the permitting process is consistent with the intent with the Clean Water Act.

But the lawmakers argue the permits — which they say cost the government and pesticide applicators $50 million annually — are the same thing as requirements set out by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA.)

"Not only is EPA pursuing regulations that are economically crippling, they are also pursuing regulations that are clearly duplicative,” Johanns said. “The agenda being pushed by this administration’s EPA amounts to more red tape, more roadblocks and more needless headaches.”

Under the bill, permits would not be required for firms spraying pesticides already registered under FIFRA, the lawmakers said. Roberts introduced the same bill in the last Congress, but it was blocked from consideration on the Senate floor.