Ag Groups Oppose MAHA Report on Pesticide Restrictions
Following the release of the long-anticipated “Making Our Children Healthy Again” report by the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission, several agricultural organizations have voiced their concerns, the industry stakeholders, including CropLife America (CLA), the Modern Ag Alliance, and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), responded with a unified message.
CropLife America, representing the U.S. pesticide industry, reinforced its commitment to responsible pesticide use as a vital component in modern farming.
“Pesticides are thoroughly studied and highly regulated for safety,” said Alexandra Dunn, president and CEO of CLA. “While the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Report recognizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) robust and science-based decision-making, it unfairly casts doubt on the integrity of the federal review process.”
The report’s implication that the government might restrict access to EPA-approved pesticides raised alarms within the agricultural community. Stakeholders warn that such a move would harm family farms and increase consumer food prices, which runs counter to the goals of the MAHA Commission.
“Farmers are already facing a host of challenges—uncertainty about their access to critical crop protection products shouldn't be added to the list,” stated Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, Executive Director of the Modern Ag Alliance. “Crop protection tools are not only safe, they are essential to food security, affordability, and the survival of family farms all across this country. Losing access to these critical inputs would be a devastating setback to American agriculture.”
Although the MAHA report does not carry the force of law, its recommendations could influence public policy and consumer perception. The EPA remains the authoritative body overseeing pesticide registration and enforcement in the U.S.
NAWG also expressed significant concern, noting the potential for the report’s assertions to erode trust in the nation’s food system.
“NAWG is deeply concerned with the content and implications of the MAHA Commission’s report. Throughout the process, NAWG and other agricultural stakeholders have worked in good faith to provide the commission with accurate, science-based information about modern food production practices in the United States. Wheat growers are proud stewards of the land and are committed to producing safe, healthy food for families here at home and around the world,” said President Pat Clements.
“Unfortunately, the report contains misleading claims that could undermine public trust in our nation’s food system. We urge the Trump administration to ensure that the MAHA Commission’s future work is guided by sound science and peer-reviewed research. American consumers deserve facts—not fear—when it comes to how their food is grown and produced.”
Industry leaders across the country echoed these concerns. "Without pesticides, farmers will struggle to control invasive insects and plant diseases, particularly those affecting perishable crops like fruits and vegetables," said Daren Coppock, CEO of the Agriculture Retailers Association. "This would result in reduced food availability, diminished quality, increased consumer costs, and heightened food safety risks."
"Restricting access to safe, effective crop protection tools would have ripple effects across the entire food supply chain—from seed to shelf," said Melinda Witten, President and CEO of the Ohio AgriBusiness Association. "Now more than ever, we must champion policies rooted in data."
"Crop protection tools that have been registered through EPA, have gone through the most rigorous, scientifically based, and health-protective process in the world," saidRoger Isom, President and CEO of the California Cotton Ginners & Growers Association. "American agriculture already has far less tools than the rest of the world, and we can not afford to lose any more and still produce the world's best food and fiber."
"The misinformation surrounding crop protection tools is incredibly upsetting because if there's one thing all farmers have in common, it's that we care about raising safe, healthy, and affordable food that nourishes families around the world." said Jolene Riessen, Iowa Farmer and Chair of the Iowa Corn Growers Association.
"In Hawaii, we are more committed than ever to fact-driven, science-based agricultural practices." said Melissa Pavlicek, Executive Director of the Hawaii Crop Improvement Association.