Win of the Week: Pesticide Industry Power Grab Blocked
Bipartisan environmental advocates outmuscle corporate lobbyist group.
Amidst the explosive chaos Trump is brewing, there are steady battles for justice that continue to need our attention. This one, thankfully, didn’t slip under the radar of environmental advocates.
The outcome gives us a chance to celebrate the power of grassroots advocacy over corporate pressure and the valuing of people over profits.
Here’s what you need to know:
The proposal
Last summer, Republicans added a rider to Section 453 of the appropriations bill that would prohibit the EPA, states, and localities from updating warnings about pesticides.
Tucked neatly into page 196 of 208, the provision stated:
“None of the funds made available by this or any other Act may be used to issue or adopt any guidance or any policy, take any regulatory action, or approve any labeling or change to such labeling that is inconsistent with or in any respect different from the conclusion of— (a) a human health assessment performed pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.); or (b) a carcinogenicity classification for a pesticide.”
The intent
The provision would prevent new information from reaching the public about health dangers of pesticides.
It would also protect insecticide producers from lawsuits, because they could not be held responsible for notifying the public about health risks associated with their products.
Roundup manufacturer Bayer led the lobbying effort to add this section to the bill. Incidentally, the company has been facing thousands of very costly lawsuits that would no longer be relevant if this provision passed.
Critics call the provision an “immunity shield” for the pesticide industry.
The activism
Rep. Chellie Pingree, a former farmer, took a hard line against this provision early on. She joined forces with a broad base of activists and led the bipartisan opposition effort.
Farmers, environmental groups, pollinator organizations, consumers, and farm workers all joined in the effort.
The MAHA movement was a strong force against it on the Republican side.
The outcome
Section 453 was removed from the bill last week. Democrats and Republicans have mutually agreed not to revisit the issue.
In response, Rep. Pingree stated:
“It was a huge win. But the fight is far from over… This isn’t about politics. It’s about right and wrong. It's about transparency. It’s about valuing people’s health—and the health of our communities—over corporate profits.”
What’s next
The Supreme Court may weigh in on the matter at any time. They would rule on whether states can overrule federal label laws. Trump is pressuring them to side with the pesticide industry.
Another effort to revive the legislation is through the Farm Bill. The provision was unsuccessfully attempted in the 2024 Farm Bill and is expected to crop up in the next one.
Activists are still watching out for Republicans’ next attempt to push this legislation through. If it does happen, they are asking us all to stand with them against the pesticide industry.
For today, we celebrate a giant win. We recognize our own activist strength.
And we send a message of accountability to those neglecting their responsibility to the American people: we’re watching.
With love and hope for the future,
Stephanie
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Bipartisan pressure was crucial in this win. How do you feel about joining forces with MAHA for environmental protections?
Read more:
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5673246-maha-pesticide-epa-section-453/
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/06/pesticide-industry-protection-bill-removed
I had no idea this was going on! Thanks for the update!
Big business doesn’t want any liability when the chemicals and poisons they use kill or make users sick. That would hurt their bottom line! Ugh. Thanks for sharing this important information.