North Dakota Senate Committee Supports HB 1318, Standing With Farmers

Today, the North Dakota Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee recommended the passage of HB 1318—common-sense legislation that safeguards farmers' access to critical crop protection tools and ensures that federally approved product labels are the law. This positive step in the legislative process follows the passage of the bill in the North Dakota House of Representatives on an 88-0 vote earlier this year. 

“Farmers applaud the North Dakota Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee for defending their access to the essential crop protection tools they rely on to keep yields high and ensure an abundant and affordable food supply,” said Modern Ag Alliance Executive Director Elizabeth Burns-Thompson. “HB 1318 simply reasserts that federally-approved product labels are the law and that manufacturers cannot be subject to litigation for following the law.”

HB 1318 is backed by broad, bipartisan public support. The Modern Ag Alliance's recent Ag Insights Survey found that 91% of all North Dakotans, including 100% of farmers, 93% of both Republicans and of Democrats, are more likely to support leaders who stand with farmers over trial lawyers on ag policy. The legislation is also supported by North Dakota's leading agricultural organizations:

Crop protection tools like pesticides help farmers control invasive weeds, keep yields high and costs low, and implement conservation practices that save time and resources. North Dakota farmers rely on these products to safely and reliably grow crops like wheat, corn, soybeans, and others vital to supporting the state's $14 billion agriculture economy. 

“The Modern Ag Alliance commends the Senate Ag Committee for putting North Dakota farmers first, and we look forward to its swift passage in the full North Dakota Senate,” added Burns-Thompson.

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 ensure we have a robust and affordable domestic food supply. To learn more, visit modernagalliance.org.