NCGA Applauds Food Quality Protection Act Anniversary  (8-3-06)

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) marked the 10-year anniversary of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), a law that required the agency to complete a massive review and reassessment of the tolerances (maximum permitted residues) for all food-use pesticides within a decade.

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauds the EPA’s use of sound science and stakeholder involvement, which improved the process and implementation of FQPA. The goals set forth in the FQPA strengthened this country’s high standard in providing the safest and most abundant food supply in the world.

“The success of FQPA demonstrates that consumers and producers benefit when government agencies evaluate risks transparently using the best available science,” said NCGA President Gerald Tumbleson. “Under FQPA, the EPA established strong standards for pesticide use but also recognized the benefits of pesticide use in food production. Corn growers are very concerned with the health and well-being of American citizens and are aware of the need to balance good environmental stewardship with the need for a long-term, dependable food supply and necessity for long-term profitability in farming.”

The EPA’s successful assessment of pesticides also ensures the environment, wildlife and water habitats and producers who utilize pesticides are safely protected.

To view the accomplishments under the FQPA, visit  http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/laws/fqpa/fqpa_accomplishments.htm.