The Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) was recently approved by the Senate.
PRIA reauthorizes and improves the law that governs the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’S) approval process for pesticides, disinfectants and sanitizers used in the U.S.
PRIA requires reauthorization about every five years and, traditionally, has had broad support from industry and environmental groups. In its previous three iterations PRIA has passed both chambers of Congress with broad and bipartisan support. Authorization for the program expires on September 30 unless new legislation is enacted.
The legislation was initially approved by the House in June of 2017. A year later, the Senate amended the approved the measure. The House must pass the amended version or make its own changes for the Senate to consider.
PRIA requires that the companies producing pesticides contribute money to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for product registration, re-registration, and applicator training.
The law provides certainty that the agency has the necessary financial and staff resources to complete their product review work and approve, when appropriate, products for crop protection and other pest controls.
Further action on PRIA is now awaiting the House Agriculture Committee Chairman, Mike Conaway (R-TX), and Republican leadership to decide whether to accept the Senate amended bill, negotiate a compromise, or attempt passing new PRIA language as part of the Farm Bill.
