PRINTER'S NO. 2249
No. 243 Session of 1998
INTRODUCED BY WENGER, MADIGAN AND STAPLETON, NOVEMBER 6, 1998
REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS, NOVEMBER 6, 1998
A RESOLUTION
1 Urging the Environmental Protection Agency to use sound science
2 and real-world data from the data call-in process relating to
3 the Food Quality Protection Act and urging certain oversight
4 by the Congress of the United States.
5 WHEREAS, The Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (Public Law
6 104-170, 110 Stat. 1489) institutes changes in the types of
7 information the Environmental Protection Agency is required to
8 evaluate in its risk assessment process for establishing
9 tolerances for pesticide residues in food and feed; and
10 WHEREAS, The Food Quality Protection Act further emphasizes
11 the need for reliable information about the volume and types of
12 pesticides being applied to individual crops and what residues
13 can be anticipated on these crops; and
14 WHEREAS, Risk estimates based on sound science and reliable
15 real-world data are essential to avoid misguided decisions, and
16 the best way for the Environmental Protection Agency to obtain
17 this data is to require the development and submission of the
18 data by the registrant through the data call-in process; and
19 WHEREAS, The absence of reliable information will:
1 (1) result in fewer pest control options for the United
2 States and Pennsylvania farmers, especially relating to minor
3 crops;
4 (2) significantly disrupt successful integrated pest
5 management programs in the State; and
6 (3) jeopardize the availability and affordability of
7 fresh fruits and vegetables to consumers at all economic
8 levels;
9 and
10 WHEREAS, This absence of reliable information will also
11 result in fewer pest control options for urban and suburban
12 uses, with potential losses of personal property and increased
13 costs for human health concerns; therefore be it
14 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
15 strongly urge the administrator of the Environmental Protection
16 Agency to use sound science and real-world data from the data
17 call-in process in establishing realistic models for evaluating
18 risk; and be it further
19 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
20 urge the Environmental Protection Agency to establish and
21 publish uniform policies which will be used to ensure consistent
22 implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act; and be it
23 further
24 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
25 urge the Congress to exercise sufficient oversight of the
26 Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that the Food Quality
27 Protection Act is implemented in a manner that will not disrupt
28 agricultural production nor negatively impact the availability,
29 diversity and affordability of food.
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