[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 51 (Tuesday, May 3, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
        INTRODUCTION OF THE ADMINISTRATION BILL TO REFORM FIFRA

                                 ______


                           HON. E de la GARZA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 3, 1994

  Mr. de la GARZA. Mr. Speaker, today I am joining Congressman Stenholm 
of Texas to introduce the Administration bill to reform the Federal 
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act [FIFRA], the principal law 
regulating the manufacture and use of pesticides.
  I am introducing this bill because I believe the Administration's 
proposals deserve a place at the legislative table. While I do not 
endorse every provision embodied in this legislation, I do 
wholeheartedly support the Administration's effort to move the 
legislative process forward.
  I am especially pleased that the Administration package includes 
language to establish incentives for registering pesticides for so-
called minor uses. This is an issue of vital concern to our Nation's 
fruit and vegetable growers, including those in the south Texas 
district I represent. Last year I introduced a bill to help ensure the 
availability of minor use chemicals, and many of its concepts are 
embodied in the Administration bill.
  I want to take this opportunity to commend the Departments of 
Agriculture and Health and Human Services, including the Food and Drug 
Administration, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency. They 
have worked together long and hard to develop a comprehensive package 
on very complex and contentious issues. I want to particularly thank 
EPA Administrator Carol Browner for her leadership in developing the 
Administration proposals to reform FIFRA and the related statute--the 
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. She has made the passage of 
pesticide and food safety reform a priority for this Administration and 
I congratulate her for her efforts.
  The Administration proposals put before this Congress are one 
approach to coordinated pesticide and food safety reform. The 
introduction of this legislation likely marks the beginning of what 
will be a long and difficult process. However, I believe we can--and we 
must--work together to enact legislation that restores credibility to 
Government food safety regulation and, at that same time, allow 
American agriculture access to tested and approved chemical tools for 
modern food production.

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