This afternoon, March 31, the US House of Representatives voted 292-130 to approve HR 872, which would eliminate the NPDES permit for pesticide applicators.  Thank you to the many IFCA members who contacted your Congressman to ask for a YES vote. It makes a difference! 

 

Attached is the roll call of the vote.  We had great bi-partisan support from our Illinois Congressman, including the Honorable Tim Johnson, Aaron Schock, John Shimkus, Jerry Costello, Bobby Schilling, Randy Hultgren, Adam Kinzinger, Don Manzullo, Peter Roskam, Judy Biggert and Danny Davis.  They all deserve a thank you! 
 

The bill now moves to the US Senate, where it will be more difficult.  It's not too early to let our US Senators Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk know how vital it is for them to support HR 872.  Unless we can stop the NPDES regulation, pesticide applicators who treat for mosquitoes, clear aquatic systems of weeds and pests and provide aerial application for invasive species will be required on October 31, 2011 to get a permit from IEPA, even though they already have a license from the IL Dept of Ag to apply pesticides.  Based on our experience with federal laws, if we cannot stop this regulation it will only grow over time to include more pesticide applications, and very likely impact agricultural applications because the anti-pesticide activists will continue to seek to broaden the scope of the rule. 

 

The hard-working staff at the national associations Crop Life America, Ag Retailers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers, RISE, National Ag Aviation Association and others worked overtime to secure the passage of HR 872 and will continue to make this a top priority as it moves to the Senate.  They deserve our thanks--they have a lot of legislators to educate and a lot of misinformation to counteract.  Great job!  This is why it's so important to support the state and national associations that fight for our industry.