Pesticide Bill Faces Difficulties in Senate

Abstract

Legislation providing for the first major overhaul of the law governing the sale and use of pesticides since 1978 has cleared the House easily. When it was reported out by the House Agriculture Committee in June, H.R. 2482—Federal Insecticide, Fungicide & Rodenticide Act Amendments of 1986, was supported by both the agricultural chemical industry and environmental, consumer, farm, and labor organizations. However, some controversial amendments adopted by the full House have shaken that coalition and may jeopardize the bill's chances of passing the Senate. Industry is not pleased by an amendment that would make the registrant of a pesticide—that is, the manufacturer—responsible for cleaning up any environmental damages caused by the product's use, unless the applicator acted negligently, recklessly, or with intent to misuse the pesticide. Nor does industry like an amendment that, in addition to setting up a new groundwater protection program, gives the Energy & Commerce Committee, rather than the Agricultu...