Pesticide regulation discussed at roundtable discussion in Webster County

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler completed his tour of the Ozarks this (Friday) morning with an announcement that was warmly greeted by Missouri’s corn farmers. Speaking at a roundtable hosted on the Gary Letterman Farm outside Niangua, Wheeler announced that atrazine, an herbicide commonly used by corn and sorghum growers, would have its registration renewed. Wheeler told farm leaders present that EPA relied on the science to reach their decision.

Wheeler says pesticides are a regular target of lawsuits and bad press, and that his agency should do more to explain their use and benefits.

EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler was joined by Missouri Farm Bureau president Blake Hurst, Missouri Corn CEO Gary Marshall, and two congressmen from Missouri, Vicky Hartzler and Jason Smith.