Hanaway Leads Coalition Supporting Uniform Herbicide Labeling Standards
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway spearheaded a 15-state coalition in filing an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court, advocating for consistent labeling requirements for herbicides used in farming. The action aims to support farmer access to glyphosate, a widely used and environmentally sound herbicide [1].
Protecting Farmer Access to Glyphosate
“For decades, Missouri’s farmers have used glyphosate to protect our crops and food supply,” said Attorney General Hanaway. “United States law establishes strict labeling guidelines for products containing glyphosate. States like California have no right to impose their policy views on Missourians with overreaching, extraterritorial mandates.”
The Case and Concerns
The case centers on the labeling requirements established by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), which aims to create consistent, science-based instructions nationwide. Still, some court rulings have mandated that manufacturers include warning labels on glyphosate-containing products, suggesting potential carcinogenic effects or facing substantial legal liabilities. This litigation risk threatens to drive manufacturers out of the market and limit Missouri farmers’ access to a crucial tool for weed control and maintaining crop yields.
States’ Brief Highlights Potential Disruptions
The States’ brief argues that without a uniform nationwide standard, states could impose labeling requirements that increase costs, disrupt supply chains, and ultimately jeopardize access to glyphosate. It also emphasizes the importance of agriculture to Missouri’s economy and outlines the potential harm to Missouri farmers if they were forced to rely on alternative, potentially more toxic, herbicides.
Coalition Members
Joining Missouri in the brief were the Attorneys General of Iowa, Nebraska, Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Utah.