Passage of New Georgia Bill a Win for Farmers

With Governor Kemp’s signature, Georgia joins North Dakota in reaffirming EPA-backed science behind crop protection tools

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Farmers and others in agriculture applaud Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia General Assembly for supporting the crop protection tools so important to Georgia’s farmers’ ability to produce affordable, safe, abundant food. With Governor Kemp signing SB 144, Georgia has taken the step to re-affirm the authority of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) scientific rulings on the safety of crop protection products.

“The signing of SB 144 by Governor Kemp demonstrates that Georgia stands with its farmers, who work tirelessly to produce safe and affordable food for communities throughout the state. We thank Governor Kemp and the legislators, farmers and ag groups that supported this important piece of legislation,” said Brian Naber, president, Crop Science North America & Australia/New Zealand Region. “At Bayer, we are committed to developing agricultural innovations that help farmers thrive. This is important not only for Georgia’s farmers and American agriculture, but also the everyday American worried about the cost of groceries, which could increase if these vital tools went away. We hope states around the country considering similar legislation will also support farmers and the tools critical to their success.”

This legislation would directly address – and reinforce – the integrity of the regulatory process and ensure that the EPA’s thorough and scientifically based conclusion are adhered to and would further reinforce the health and safety warning labels, which are supported by an extensive regulatory process.

We hope the courts will apply this legislation appropriately. Ultimately it will be up to the courts to decide on how they interpret the law, but we’re optimistic that it will reinforce the legal certainty regarding claims about the warning label.

The passage of SB 144 is possible because of the efforts from lawmakers, commodity groups, farmers and Georgians alike who are committed to the success of Georgia’s farms, which along with related industries contribute more than $91 billion to the state’s economy.

Glyphosate-based herbicides have revolutionized farming by effectively and safely managing weeds, which are among the biggest factors impacting farm yields and the ability to use sustainable farming methods. Like all crop protection products, glyphosate has been subject to rigorous testing and oversight and the EPA and all leading regulatory bodies around the world have repeatedly found glyphosate-based products are safe to use as directed. The newly passed legislation ensures that when the EPA makes its scientifically based conclusions about the label required for a product, that stands and is consistently adhered to.

To learn more about glyphosate, visit: https://www.bayer.com/en/truth-about-glyphosate

About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. In line with its mission, “Health for all, Hunger for none,” the company’s products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2024, the Group employed around 93,000 people and had sales of 46.6 billion euros. R&D expenses amounted to 6.2 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

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