GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

H	1 

HOUSE RESOLUTION 1007

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Sponsors: Representatives Hill; Wainwright, Yongue, and Barefoot.

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Referred to:  Rules, Calendar and Operations of the House.

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April 13, 1999

A HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS TO TAKE STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THE FOOD QUALITY PROTECTION ACT.
Whereas, the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA) was signed into law on August 3, 1996, by President William J. Clinton; and
Whereas, the FQPA establishes new safety standards that pesticides must meet to be newly registered or remain on the market; and
Whereas, the FQPA requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure that all pesticide tolerances meet these new FQPA standards by reassessing one-third of the 9,700 existing pesticide tolerances by August 1999, and all existing tolerances in 10 years; and
Whereas, the FQPA institutes changes in the types of information the EPA is required to evaluate in the risk assessment process for establishing tolerances for pesticide residues in food and feed; and
Whereas, the FQPA was to assure that pesticide tolerances and policies are formulated in an open and transparent manner; and
Whereas, the FQPA further emphasizes the need for reliable information about the volume and types of pesticides being applied to individual crops and what residues can be anticipated on these crops; and
Whereas, risk estimates based on sound science and reliable, real-world data are essential to avoid misguided decisions, and the best way for the EPA to obtain this data is to require its development and submission by the registrant through the data call-in process; and
Whereas, the implementation of FQPA by the EPA could have a profound negative impact on domestic agricultural production and on consumer food prices and availability; and
Whereas, the possibility of elimination of these products will result in fewer pest control options for the United States and the State of North Carolina and significant disruption of successful integrated pest management programs which would be devastating to the economy of our State and jeopardize the very livelihood of many of our agricultural producers; and
Whereas, the absence of reliable information is expected to result in fewer pest control options for urban and suburban uses, with potential losses of personal property, damage to valuable recreational areas and managed green space and increased human health concerns; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
Section 1.  The House of Representatives urges Congress to direct the Environmental Protection Agency to (i) immediately initiate appropriate public administrative guidance or rule making to ensure that the policies, standards, and procedures it intends to apply in reassessing existing pesticide tolerances are subject to thorough public notice and comment prior to final tolerance determinations being made by the agency, (ii) use sound science and real-world data from the data call-in process in establishing realistic models for evaluating risks, and (iii) implement the the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 in a manner that will not disrupt agricultural production nor negatively impact the availability, diversity, and affordability of food, threaten public health nor diminish the quality of valuable recreational areas and managed green spaces.  The House of Representatives further urges Congress to immediately conduct oversight hearings to ensure that actions by the Environmental Protection Agency are consistent with the provisions of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 and congressional intent.
Section 2.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the North Carolina Congressional delegation.
Section 3.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.