The House approved the Farm Bill on Wednesday after adopting an amendment proposed by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., that strips liability protection for pesticide manufacturers and ensures implementation of federal public health standards.
The legislation was adopted 224-200 and is up next for consideration in the Senate.
The new amendment eliminates language that would have provided manufacturers of chemical substances with liability shields, thereby enabling individuals and states to pursue legal action against producers who sell harmful pesticides. Warning labels are also preserved in addition to the provision to protect drinking water.
“I do not support giving blanket immunity to corporations at the expense of American families,” Luna commented on her amendment. “Pesticides are linked to a 30% increase in childhood cancer, and over 170 studies corroborate the evidence. This amendment ensures we stand on the side of the American people and the health of our nation, not corporate interests.”
Such an amendment was introduced amid ongoing concerns regarding the adverse impacts of pesticides on human health. Pesticides have been proven by scientific research to increase the risks of developing cancers, among others, especially among children. Thus, adopting such amendments will prevent federal laws from superseding state and local laws.
The sponsors of the bill believe that the amendment puts families’ rights first by preserving warning labels and allowing people to sue for damages.
