By Scout Nelson
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has officially withdrawn its rulemaking process concerning pesticide-treated seed disposal. The decision follows a report from the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) in May, which disapproved of the agency’s rulemaking because of procedural errors made during the process. If MPCA wishes to revisit the matter, it will have to start the process from the beginning.
This decision marks a significant development for farm organizations that have long opposed the proposed rules since they were first introduced by the Minnesota Legislature.
“The withdrawal of the treated seed rulemaking process is a win for the farm groups who have argued against this misguided policy since first proposed at the legislature,” stated Wesley Beck, president of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. “Treated seed is a vital crop production tool for Minnesota’s corn farmers, who responsibly steward the product and use it judiciously given its cost.”
In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature directed the MPCA to initiate rulemaking on the disposal of unused and unsold pesticide treated seeds. However, farm groups consistently argued that these seeds do not qualify as solid waste and that the scale of the issue does not justify new regulations.
“During the regulatory process it came to light that MPCA was grossly overestimating the amount of unused and unsold treated seed in Minnesota to justify this new regulatory process,” said Darin Johnson, president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association. “MSGA and our farm group partners will continue to point out these errors and strenuously defend the use of federal approved crop production products for our members and farmers across Minnesota.”
Because of MPCA’s procedural mistakes, the ALJ was unable to review the substantive arguments regarding the necessity or reasonableness of the proposed rules. If the MPCA restarts the process, farm groups intend to continue their opposition, maintaining that the rule is unnecessary and burdensome for the agricultural sector.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-fotokostic
Categories: Minnesota, Crops, Soybeans, Government & Policy