Restricting access to crop protection tools could harm America’s food security and our agricultural supply chains. Recent history offers a cautionary tale about the unintended consequences of such restrictions.
In April 2021, the Sri Lankan government imposed a nationwide ban on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. The impact of this ruling was severe and swift: crop yields crashed more than 50% across the country, with some farmers experiencing 95% yield loss. Production of rice, a self-sufficient staple in Sri Lanka, fell so sharply that the nation was forced to import $450 million worth of rice to meet the country’s needs. Meanwhile, tea exports—a key source of revenue—plummeted.
Ultimately, policymakers lifted the ban on synthetic pesticides seven months later, as the country was already grappling with the economic damage.