Tennessee House Committee Passes HB 809 To Safeguard Farmers’ Access To Crop Protection Products
Today, the Tennessee House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee advanced House Bill 809, legislation that will ensure farmers' continued access to the tools they need to grow their crops. This vote comes as the litigation industry, supported by anti-ag activists from California and elsewhere, has relentlessly targeted crop protection products with an avalanche of meritless litigation, threatening their future availability.
"The Modern Ag Alliance commends members of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee for standing up to the litigation industry's attacks and defending farmers' critical inputs," said Modern Ag Alliance Executive Director Elizabeth Burns-Thompson. "HB 809 provides certainty that the tools farmers need are not going to be litigated away by those who don't understand farming and Tennessee agriculture."
HB 809 ensures consistency in product labeling standards by affirming that federally approved labels are the law. Contrary to misconceptions, this legislation is not a blanket immunity shield—claims unrelated to the label would not be affected. Tennessee also maintains the authority to regulate the sale and use of any pesticide within its borders.
The Modern Ag Alliance’s recent Ag Insights Survey found 80% of Tennesseans, including 86% of Republicans and 74% of Democrats are more likely to support elected officials who stand with farmers on this issue. Prominent Tennessee agricultural and producer organizations also back this legislation, including the Tennessee Farm Bureau, Tennessee Soybean Association, and the Southern Crop Production Association.
Crop protection tools help 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 food prices down. If farmers lose access to the most commonly used herbicide, for example, food inflation could double. The prospect of even higher food costs is weighing heavily on Tennesseans, with 74%—including 90% of farmers— reporting they are deeply concerned that litigation against crop protection manufacturers will lower crop yields and lead to higher food prices.
“We thank Representatives Rusty Grills, Chris Todd, Johnny Shaw, and Chris Hurt for their leadership on this issue and their commitment to Tennessee farmers,” added Burns-Thompson. "As this bill moves to the House Judiciary Committee, the Modern Ag Alliance will work to ensure lawmakers understand the stakes for Tennessee farmers."
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.
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