Bill Overview
Title: Farmers Deserve Notification Act
Description: This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to provide at least 270 days advance notice in the Federal Register when a pesticide registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act is to be canceled, suspended, or restricted, except in cases where the Scientific Advisory Panel votes to not require the notification period with respect to a pesticide.
Sponsors: Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]
Target Audience
Population: People relying on agriculture for their livelihood globally
Estimated Size: 20000000
- The bill requires advance notice for changes in pesticide registration, which directly impacts farmers who use these chemicals.
- Farmers rely on pesticides for managing crops, so any changes in availability could affect their production and financial planning.
- The bill involves the EPA and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, indicating that stakeholders involved in the regulation and use of these products will be affected.
- This legislation would primarily impact agricultural sectors, which form a significant portion of the global and national workforce.
Reasoning
- The Farmers Deserve Notification Act is designed to provide farmers with ample notice if there is a change in the availability of pesticides they rely on.
- Farmers with significant reliance on particular pesticides may see the most impact, while others may see little to no change.
- Agricultural workers indirectly linked to pesticide usage, such as those in logistic or sales roles, may perceive varying levels of impact.
- The financial aspects for farmers due to sudden changes in pesticide availability may be mitigated by this bill allowing them to plan and adjust their strategies adequately.
- The estimated budget constraints mean that the awareness and educational campaigns related to the bill might be limited, affecting the full understanding of its implications among small to medium-sized farms.
Simulated Interviews
Corn Farmer (Iowa)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The extra notification period is a game-changer for planning my crop cycles.
- Now I can adjust my strategies well in advance if there's any change in pesticide supply.
- This is particularly important during planting seasons.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Orchard Manager (California)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any heads-up on pesticide availability allows for better long-term planning for my orchard.
- Regulatory surprises are challenging; this policy helps alleviate sudden stress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Agricultural Worker (Texas)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Stability in my job is crucial and knowing changes earlier means I'm not caught off guard.
- Hearing about cancellations last minute can lead to serious job insecurity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Agrochemical Sales Representative (Ohio)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having a 270-day advance notice is crucial for fulfilling orders and managing customer expectations.
- It helps in explaining to clients what changes occur and preparing them adequately.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Soybean Farmer (North Dakota)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not sure it will impact my day-to-day operations unless there's a major shift in products.
- Good to know earlier, but not a big deal unless it's a major pesticide I rely on.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Regulatory Compliance Officer for Agriculture Firm (Georgia)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The change is mostly administrative but crucial for our clients' strategic planning.
- Less of an operational change but adds value in communicating effectively with stakeholders.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Sugarcane Plantation Owner (Florida)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We've been long advocating for more predictable regulatory changes and this is a step forward.
- Predictability in pesticide supply helps align our extensive distribution chains without last-minute hurdles.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Food Safety Inspector (Washington)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Not impacted directly but expecting less panic-induced compliance failures among farmers.
- Better compliance anticipation with pre-notification.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Grain Supplier Manager (Kansas)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Advance pesticide notifications ideally cut down on panic and disruptions in supply chains.
- Helps us provide stable support to farming clients.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Environmental Advocate (Vermont)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Appreciate more regulatory oversight, but concerned about potential delays in banning harmful pesticides.
- Mixed feeling; better notification helps sustainable farming adapt but should be balanced against quick policy actions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $15000000)
Year 2: $10500000 (Low: $7500000, High: $16000000)
Year 3: $11000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $17000000)
Year 5: $12000000 (Low: $8500000, High: $18000000)
Year 10: $13000000 (Low: $9000000, High: $19000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The practical benefits the advance notice provides farmers in managing crops.
- Estimated EPA administrative costs shouldered by taxpayers, offset potentially by savings and stability in the agricultural sector.
- The balance between regulatory burden and the need for informed decision-making in agriculture.