The over reach of the Environmental Protection Agency regarding pesticide use near water is once again in the forefront as amendments are being submitted in the US Senate to the 2012 Farm Bill. NC AG Commissioner Steve Troxler is keeping a close eye on the action in Washington:
“Farm groups all across the country have fought this from happening with EPA, and the truth of the matter is that it’s just one more unnecessary burden on agriculture.”
Part of the problem, according to Troxler is that there’s already effective regulations in place:
“We have a federal pesticide law that established an effective and comprehensive web to provide environmental and public health protection and this process specifically examines a pesticides potential impact on water.”
And several of the 200 amendments submitted in the Senate to the 2012 farm bill include the over reach of the EPA regarding this issue, one of which has been submitted by Senator Kay Hagen from North Carolina:
“Senator Kay Hagen tried to get things moving again by offering an amendment to the farm bill. Her amendment clarifies that Clean Water Act permits are not required for pesticide applications are not required for pesticide applications near or around water. And I’m encouraging her to stick with it and push this amendment.”
For more of Commissioner Troxler’s comments, visit our website, SFNToday.com.
EPA Approves Sale of E15
With the approval by EPA of the first retailers to sell 15-percent ethanol blends - the industry is gearing up for imminent sales of the new blend level - possibly this week. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen says the first sales of E15 in the country could occur this week - but there are still challenges…
“E-15 can indeed be offered for commercial sale today. We’re finally here. There may still be some marketers that will have difficulty during the summer months finding blendstock.”
June 1st marked the first day that North Carolina required labeling on gas pumps stating the amount of ethanol within the blend.
Obama Directive on Immigration Could Cease in January 2013
On Friday, President Obama issued a directive regarding deportation of illegal immigrants in a very narrow scope; they must be between the ages of 16 & 30, have a high school diploma or GED, or have served honorably in the military, and must not have a criminal record, plus have lived in the US five consecutive years. Essentially children of undocumented immigrants that were brought here by their parents.
North Carolina Farm Bureau President Larry Wooten says that if Obama isn’t re-elected in November, the directive could die in January when he leaves office:
“It could be extended, and that’s one of the fallacies of what he did, it’s not even an Executive Order that has any permanency to it, and it’s certainly not a law passed by Congress. So, it’s just a deferral, is what it is, just a two-year deportation deferral. It doesn’t have anything to do with amnesty, or citizenship or anything.”
Before Traveling This Summer, Know How to Avoid Packing a Pest
The summer travel season has arrived, and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is asking summer travelers to join in the fight against invasive pests. Invasive pests can hitchhike on fruits, vegetables, meats, processed foods, plants and handicraft items - and APHIS says these pests could devastate urban and rural landscapes and cost billions of dollars in lost revenue and eradication efforts if they were to become established in the U.S. This is why APHIS restricts or prohibits the entry of certain agricultural products from foreign countries, Hawaii and U.S. territories.
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