Potato Growers of Michigan, Inc. (PGMI) joined a broad coalition of Michigan agricultural organizations in supporting Section 453 of the House Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2026 — an important provision reaffirming that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the sole federal authority on pesticide labeling and packaging under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
PGMI’s participation aligns with the voices of more than 360 agricultural and related associations nationwide, including the Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA), Michigan Asparagus Association, Michigan Bean Shippers, Michigan Corn Growers Association, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association, Michigan Soybean Association, Michigan State Horticultural Society, and Michigan Vegetable Council, all of which signed a May 28 letter to Congress urging support for the provision.
The coalition emphasized that Section 453 provides farmers with critical certainty. “If farmers can’t rely on a consistent set of science-based federal registrations and labels for agricultural tools, it makes it very difficult to make long-term plans on what to plant, how much, and when,” the letter stated. “This legislation ensures that states and courts do not take actions that conflict with established federal law and science-based regulations.”
PGMI actively communicated with Michigan members of Congress in advance of the July 22 full committee markup, encouraging support for Section 453 and opposition to any amendments seeking to strike the language — including one offered by U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), which was ultimately rejected by voice vote.
“We were proud to stand alongside other Michigan agricultural groups to advocate for science-based, consistent pesticide regulations,” said Dr. Kelly Turner, manager of PGMI. “This effort is about preserving growers’ ability to farm effectively and responsibly. It also demonstrates how essential it is to build strong working relationships with our congressional representatives — so when issues like this arise, our voices are heard.”
The approved House committee version retains the Ag Labeling Uniformity Language. The measure now moves to the full House for consideration. The Senate’s companion bill is not expected to include the same language, and the agricultural community will be closely monitoring developments as appropriations negotiations continue.