Modern Ag Alliance Commends Tennessee Senate Passage of SB 527
Tennessee Senate Passes SB 527, Ensuring Farmers’ Access to Key Crop Protection Tools
Today, the Tennessee Senate passed Senate Bill 527, a critical piece of legislation that will safeguard farmers’ continued access to essential crop protection tools by reinforcing that federally approved product labels are the law. This vote comes as the litigation industry—supported by anti-ag activists from California and elsewhere—has relentlessly targeted crop protection products with a wave of meritless litigation, threatening their future availability.
"70% of Tennesseans, including 92% of farmers, are deeply concerned that litigation against crop protection manufacturers will lower crop yields and lead to higher food prices. This bill keeps Tennessee in control of its agriculture industry and provides farmers with the certainty they need to plan for the future," said Modern Ag Alliance Executive Director Elizabeth Burns-Thompson. "We applaud the Tennessee Senate for listening to their constituents and passing this commonsense legislation."
SB 527 ensures consistency in product labeling standards by affirming that federally approved labels are the law. This legislation is supported by prominent Tennessee agricultural and producer organizations, including the Tennessee Farm Bureau, the Tennessee Soybean Association, the Southern Crop Production Association, and the Tennessee Agricultural Production Association, among others. This issue also has broad bipartisan support. The Modern Ag Alliance’s recent Ag Insights Survey found that 80% of Tennesseans, including 86% of Republicans and 74% of Democrats, are more likely to support elected officials who stand with farmers over trial lawyers on this issue.
Crop protection tools help Tennessee farmers control invasive weeds, keeping yields high and input costs low while allowing them to implement conservation practices like no-till farming. In Tennessee, no-till farming is integral to the state's $5 billion agricultural economy; 80% of the state's row crops are planted using this method. These tools also help keep farmers' costs and food prices down, both of which could double if farmers lose access to glyphosate, the most commonly used herbicide.
"We’re grateful to bill sponsor Senator Stevens and Tennessee lawmakers for stepping up to protect farmers' access to these essential tools,” said Burns-Thompson. “94% of Tennessee farmers say crop protection products prevent crop loss and that restrictions on these tools would negatively impact their farms. That's why this bill is a key step in ensuring farmers can reliably grow the food that feeds us all."
About the Modern Ag Alliance
The Modern Ag Alliance is a diverse coalition of agricultural stakeholders advocating for U.S. farmers’ access to the crop protection tools they need to maintain a robust and affordable domestic food supply. To learn more, visit modernagalliance.org.
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