WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., are asking Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy to refrain from engaging in hasty regulation of pesticides, specifically neonicotinoid products, commonly used by Mississippi farmers. In a letter to the agency, the Senators also urged EPA to conduct a comprehensive, science-based investigation regarding environmental stressors facing pollinators before considering any rulemaking related to pesticides.

“Before acting on potentially damaging regulations, the Environmental Protection Agency must first listen to the farmers and producers. They have firsthand knowledge of the issues affecting pollinators because their livelihoods depend on the health and sustained growth of their colonies," Cochran said.

“Mississippi farmers rely heavily on these pesticides to treat seeds,” Wicker said. “It would be unfair and irresponsible to proceed with regulating an important agricultural tool without first conducting a thorough and exhaustive investigation of the issues.”

The letter, which was signed by a bipartisan delegation of 10 Senators, reads in part:  “We have concerns about reports that the agency may be planning to regulate some pesticides, particularly neonicotinoid products, without a sufficient understanding of all the environmental stressors facing pollinators.

“Experts in the field cite multiple stressors that are contributing to variability in beehive counts and pollinator populations. … We ask EPA to take care to investigate all the likely impacts on pollinator health before taking regulatory action.”

Including Cochran and Wicker, the letter was signed by Senators Roy Blunt, R-Mo.; Joe Donnelly, D-Ind.; Pat Roberts, R-Kan.; Mike Crapo, R-Idaho; John Boozman, R-Ark.; David Perdue, R-Ga.; Deb Fischer, R-Neb.; James M. Inhofe, R-Okla.; Thom Tillis, R-N.C.; and Richard Burr, R-N.C.

###