2ft ft "V 4. 



And in that regard, we should all take note of yesterday's 

 public release by EPA of a list of 35 pesticides that might be 

 subject to sanctions under the Delaney Clause. This action, 

 which could lead to the effective commercial withdrawal of these 

 valuable input chemicals, was not mandated by law or logic and 

 was done without consultation with the Congress. My question is: 

 Did EPA act alone or was USDA consulted before this major step 

 was taken? 



I hope the Department entrusted with the responsibility of 

 assuring an affordable and abundant food supply for this nation 

 would not have agreed with this precipitate and unnecessary 

 action. If USDA was not a part of this decision, can we be 

 assured that the Secretary will act in the future to protect the 

 interests of farmers and consumers in this type of situation? 



Mr. Chairman, we are here today to discuss the economic 

 state of agricultural America. We will hear talk of loan rates, 

 target prices and the importance of expanded trade, but all of 

 this will mean nothing if farmers lose the means to produce their 

 crops. This Committee and Secretary Espy are apparently going to 

 have to devote a significant portion of our energies to 

 maintaining some sense of balance in the activities of our 

 friends in the regulatory community. 



