D.C. Decisions Effecting Ag Retailers In A Big Way
Richard Gupton, senior vice president of public policy and counsel at the Agricultural Retailers Association, says there are a lot of irons in the fire when it comes to monitoring federal regulations and federal court action on products ag retailers and farmers rely on.
“The NGOs know their best friend is the federal courts, depending on where they're located in the country. That strategy will not dissipate. The industry needs to be prepared,” Gupton shares on the latest The Scoop podcast.
He says there will be continuing litigation related to glyphosate as well as challenges at the EPA. In addition, the EPA announced earlier this summer they are re-evaluating atrazine.
Gupton highlights how the potential effect of crop protection tools being limited would be across the entire industry and food value chain.
“Our members serve organic producers as well, but, these tools are going to be necessary to keep the cost of food down to produce the quality in the amount of food necessary for the growing population here in the U.S. and globally.”
Listen to the full episode here:
While ARA has worked to establish strong working relationships with the federal agencies such as EPA, USDA, OSHA, and DOT, a new focus has come on the scene with the consideration of the Security Exchange Commission’s proposed climate change disclosures. This is related to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change policies which relates to Scope 3 emissions.
“The SEC needs to stay in their lane and not increase the cost of production in our economy at a time when we're dealing with record inflation. We're concerned about the impact that it could have while it's not directly targeting farmers, they're the ones who are going bear the brunt of that. To me, it doesn't make a lot of sense and politically tone deaf. And we’re working to see the thing dies on the vine,” Gupton says.
Gupton says ARA is poised and ready to serve the ag retail industry during these ongoing changes and challenges.
“Every decision being made in Washington DC is going to impact every ag retailer in a big way. For them to sit on the sidelines is really not an option. We need as many people in the boat towing us forward, because the challenges are only getting bigger, not smaller,” Gupton says.
