A corn farmer in Ohio told federal officials that the Environmental Protection Agency should pay more attention to farmers when it attempts to reduce pesticide problems.
Patty Mann, a Jackson Center farmer, stated that we respect the EPA’s responsibility to protect the environment. We ask that the agency collaborate closely with growers who are often the best at identifying and implementing mitigation measures.
Mann’s remarks were made before the IWG, which consists of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, and the Interior and the EPA. Mann cautioned officials against a one-size fits all approach to mitigation efforts.
She says that the EPA must be able to understand the practical, on-farm consequences of mitigation measures. Each farm and landscape is unique, so it is important to allow for flexibility in order to ensure the success of both farmers as well as at-risk species.