Two Bills Give Farmers Needed Clarity
This is a guest post by former State Senator, Shelly Echols, who is also a farmer.
Agriculture is a pillar of Georgia’s economy. As a farmer and ag business owner myself, I see firsthand how important this industry is to our state. My husband and I operate a farm in Hall County where we grow peaches, strawberries, and other commodities, in addition to operating farmer’s markets and agrotourism businesses.
In total, agriculture contributes billions of dollars to the state’s economy and supports over 300,000 jobs statewide. To keep this robust industry operating smoothly, farmers need access to modern agriculture tools, like glyphosate. These critical crop inputs allow us to run more efficient and sustainable operations. That means higher yields, lower costs, and stable prices at the grocery store for Georgia families.
Between inflation and other factors, we have seen the price of food skyrocket. From eggs to peaches, high food prices are placing an undue burden on Georgians’ family budgets. It is important that our legislature do what they can to keep prices under control so families can afford to put nutritious meals on their tables. That is why I support legislation that is making its way through the state house this session, SB 144 and HB 424.
This legislation is simple. It states that crop protection tools with EPA-approved labels is sufficient to satisfy warning requirements. In other words, the label is the law.
Why is this legislation so important? For starters, it gives our Georgia farmers the clarity they need around the products they rely on. It also helps ensure that our agriculture producers can access products like American-made glyphosate in the long term. These two factors make farmers’ lives easier when growing the crops we rely on and help keep costs low in an industry that runs on razor-thin margins.
When I served in the legislature, we passed a critical law that banned Chinese foreign agents from buying farmland and commercial property near military installations. This law helped protect Georgia and America’s national security by preventing key pieces of real estate from being bought up by hostile foreign adversaries. Similarly, SB 144 and HB 424 ensure that American-made glyphosate remains on the market and farmers will not be forced to outsource a critical component of the agriculture supply chain to China.
Frivolous lawsuits backed by the litigation industry and other out-of-state special interests have put the future of American-made crop protection at risk. Gov. Brian Kemp has made tort reform the central component of his agenda this legislative session. He notes that, “…our legal environment is draining family bank accounts and hurting job creators of all sizes in nearly every industry in our state.” Agriculture is no exception.
It’s not right that meritless lawsuits backed by trial attorneys who have never stepped foot on a farm are putting our livelihoods at risk. Farmers deserve certainty around the products they use every day. Families deserve a shot at more stable food prices. I’m grateful for leaders like Sen. Sam Watson and Rep. Steven Meeks who have taken the charge to move this legislation forward. I hope that the legislature will recognize the importance of SB 144 and HB 424 and get these bills over the finish line.
