Farmer Leaders Ask Trump To Intervene Before MAHA Recommendations Are Released

By Lindsay Croke

MAHA Proposal Risks 70% Yield Loss Without Added Safety

IL Corn Growers Association President Garrett Hawkins of Waterloo, IL, joined 18 other state corn association presidents and the National Corn Growers Association in asking President Trump to intervene before the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission releases policy recommendations next month.

The concern is that the initial assessment released by the commission in May questioned pesticide safety in America, despite repeated assessments and tests proving safety for human health. To be approved for use by the Environmental Protection Agency, pesticides have been rigorously tested and studied.

“The EPA is thorough in its review process,” says Hawkins. “I feel very confident using the available chemicals because of the testing and review. By law, the testing is even repeated at least every 15 years, or sooner if new information is available.”

Notably, the letter focuses on the impact on corn farmers around the country if MAHA’s pesticide safety concerns result in a revocation of the approval status of these needed tools.