Big Ag Wants the Same Immunity As Vaccine Companies - Moms Across America

Big Ag Wants the Same Immunity As Vaccine Companies

Bayer/Monsanto, Syngenta/ChemChina, and Dow/Dupont are Brainwashing our Senators to Present Bills to Prevent Cancer Lawsuits Against AgroChemical Companies.

Big Ag wants immunity from lawsuits. The rights of individuals, localities, and states to be able to sue agrochemical companies is critically at stake. The plot by Big Ag, via The ModernAgAlliance.org,  to pass state-by-state bills, filed in eleven states, Idaho, North Dakota, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Georgia, Montana, Missouri, Iowa, Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida - but we expect there will be bills in twenty-one.  

Bayer/Monsanto has just hired 20 agrochemical lobbyists to convince your Senators and Congressmembers that they should enjoy complete immunity from lawsuits, just like the vaccine companies. In other words, they should be able to produce pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, and as long as the EPA gives them a license to do so (which does not establish safety for human exposure), then they could never be sued for cancer or other harmful impacts due to exposure to their products.

Meanwhile, the drugs they sell that treat the harm their products cause, like cancer, depression, and fertility drugs, will continue to soar. That is why we are calling them the Make America $ick Again Bills, it's a perfect profit circle for them that they want to protect.  We think that rather than our elected officials giving Bayer executives another beach house, they should protect us in our house. The number one reason for bankruptcy, which can lead to homelessness, is medical debt. Taking away their resident's right to sue for harm is unjust and dangerous for our communities. Compensation for harm from any unsafe product is necessary for product accountability and the health and security of our communities.

These bills give Big Ag complete immunity from individuals for violating​ federal labeling law, letting them cover up dangers without consequence. This cannot happen on our watch!

This play for profit is even worse for us, and better for them, than the deal the vaccine manufacturers got. In H.R.5546 - National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 the vaccine companies were required to pay .75 cents per vaccine into a special injury fund. A court was set up so that victims of vaccine injury could apply for a hearing and compensation. The proposed bills for agrochemical immunity don’t even propose a fund, court, warning on the label, or any accountability whatsoever. Bayer/Monsanto and all agrochemical companies would enjoy complete immunity from ever being sued again. Their strategy is to go state by state, then use the states as precedence to have a federal bill passed.

Their arguments are:

  1. If they don’t get immunity, the farmers will lose access to important tools like glyphosate and other chemicals, that are “necessary” for farming.
  2. If the farmers lose these agrochemicals, the price of food will go up, putting disadvantaged people at an even greater disadvantage.
  3. The agrochemical companies should enjoy immunity because the EPA has deemed their products safe.
  4. The state-by-state laws are too cumbersome, there should be “uniformity” in pesticide laws, meaning a federal law that allows all chemical companies immunity.

Our arguments are:

  1. There are millions of farmers around the world who farm without glyphosate or toxic chemicals. 
  2. If your products aren’t safe, you should be held accountable. Reformulate your products to be safe.
  3. Your product safety is your responsibility, not the EPA’s, they do not do safety testing.
  4. The states, localities, and individuals have the right to sue. Period.

Corporate interests must not precede the safety of American farmers, citizens, and our children!

 

Updated 3月 12, 2025

SB 144 passed out of the Georgia House committee this morning. It will be next heard by the Georgia House Rules Committee, which is the last opportunity to make amendments I am told. Action could happen very quickly. A few factual observations: 
  1. SB 144 Strips Farmers’ Property Rights When the Pesticide Label is a Lie
    • Foreign pesticide makers who knowingly deceive the EPA and farmers about risks to property ​shouldn’t get a free pass—yet SB 144 lets pesticide companies off the hook for lying on the label.
    • Farmers whose crops are destroyed by deliberate deception, as has happened before, will be stripped of their property right to hold the company accountable.
  2. SB 144 Is a Big Gift to ChemChina, run by the Chinese Communist Party
Hearing Today—Correct the Record:
  • In today's House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, supporters claimed SB 144 “only clarifies existing law” and “still protects farmers.” This is simply not true.
  • In reality, SB 144 removes accountability under Georgia law if the label is a lie.
  • The one and only farmer who testified at the House Ag Committee was very clear--farmers' rights are at risk if SB 144 passes in current form. 

Updated 3月 10, 2025

Tennessee - Wednesday (3/12, 11:00 am CST, Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Hearing at SB 527; 3/12, 3:00pm CST, House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee Hearing on HB 809)
  1. House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee hears the bill second on Wednesday. 
  2. SB 527 & HB 809 give foreign chemical companies complete immunity—even if they violate federal misbranding rules. EPA sets labeling standards, but Tennessee law empowers farmers and families to hold these companies accountable when they cover up critical evidence. SB 527 & HB 809 strip farmers and families of their rights to hold pesticides companies accountable for violating the law.  
Georgia – Georgia House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee Hearing on SB 144 could happen as soon as WEDNESDAY 3/12.
  1. SB 144 was amended on the Senate floor - the amendment does not work. The amendment limits immunity only if EPA "determines" a company knowingly misled them. This is legally unworkable, and it addresses only the most egregious fraud cases, not the full scope of misbranding. It doesn't change the bill's practical effects, but implicitly admits the original bill eliminates claims even when companies knowingly conceal information.
  2. SB 144 gives foreign chemical companies complete immunity—even if they violate federal misbranding rules. EPA sets labeling standards, but Georgia law empowers farmers and families to hold these companies accountable when they cover up dangers. SB 144 strip farmers and families of their rights to hold pesticide companies accountable for violating federal law.
Oklahoma – At any time (Full Senate Vote on SB 1078, Deadline 3/27)
  1. Oklahoma Senate could hear the bill this week. Watching the calendar.
  2. SB 1078 gives foreign chemical companies complete immunity—even if they violate federal misbranding laws. EPA sets labeling standards, but Oklahoma law empowers farmers and families to hold these companies accountable when they cover up dangers. SB 1078 strips farmers and families of their rights to hold pesticides companies accountable for violating federal law. 
North Dakota – Friday (3/14, 8:30 a.m. CT, Senate Ag Committee Hearing on H.B. 1318)
  1. Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee pulled consideration last week, will hear the bill Friday morning.
  2. HB 1318 gives foreign chemical companies complete immunity—even if they violate federal misbranding rules. EPA sets labeling standards, but North Dakota law empowers farmers and families to hold these companies accountable when they cover up dangers. HB 1318 strips farmers and families of their rights to hold pesticide companies accountable for violating federal law.
Idaho – Watching (Next action: House Ag Committee Hearing on H.B. 303) 
  1. House Ag Committee pulled the bill from consideration last week. Waiting to see if it is listed.  
  2. HB 303 is slightly different than other bills--rather than complete legal immunity, it gives foreign chemical companies a presumption of complete immunity and rigs the rules to benefit foreign chemical companies. HB 1755 rigs the system against farmers and families by imposing one-sided and unjustified burdens on Idaho farmers and families seeking to hold foreign chemical companies accountable for violating federal labeling laws. 
Florida - Watching (Next action: House Judiciary: Subcommittee on Civil Justice and Claims Hearing on H.B. 129, Senate Judiciary Committee on S.B. 992)
  1. Senate Judiciary Committee will hear SB 992 when listed.
  2. SB 992 & HB 129 give foreign chemical companies complete immunity—even if they violate federal misbranding rules. EPA sets labeling standards, but Florida law empowers farmers and families to hold these companies accountable when they cover up critical evidence. SB 992 & HB 129 strip farmers and families of their rights to hold pesticides companies accountable for violating the law. 

Our elected officials said NO in Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Wyoming because of you! Way to go!

In some states, Bayer has hired 20 lobbyists to spread lies, and twenty thousand cases against Monsanto are pending, and all of these plaintiffs will lose their right to sue and get compensation, people with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma from using Roundup, if this bill passes.

Other states pending soon are Georgia, Montana, North Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Tennessee, Florida, and a total of twenty-one states.

Call to Action!

Contact Senators of the following states:

Pesticide Immunity Billls We are Currently Facing - Click on link for contacts.
Region Label Status Sponsor Link Committee Link Bill Link  
North Dakota H.B. 1318 Vote soon   https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/committees/senate/agriculture-and-veterans-affairs  
Iowa S.S.B.1051 Vote soon   https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/committee?ga=91&groupID=697  
Missouri H.B. 544 Vote soon    
Missouri S.B. 14 Vote soon    
Florida H.B. 129 Introduced http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4909&LegislativeTermId=91 https://www.flhouse.gov/Sections/Committees/committeesdetail.aspx?CommitteeId=3299  
Georgia H.B.424 Introduced https://www.legis.ga.gov/members/house/4961?session=1031 https://www.legis.ga.gov/committees/house/87  
Georgia S.B.144 Headed to Rules Com https://www.legis.ga.gov/members/senate/837?session=1033 https://www.legis.ga.gov/committees/senate/107  
Montana H.B. 522  2/25    
Tennessee S.B.0527 Introduced https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/legislatorinfo/member.aspx?district=S24 https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/CommitteeInfo/SenateComm.aspx?ga=114&committeekey=640000  
Idaho DRAFT DRAFT        
       

Call to Action 2:

COMMENT to the EPA

There is a proposed petition that is open for comment now to the EPA:

This petition would wipe out pesticide industry accountability by amending EPA regulations to preempt any state labeling requirement that is inconsistent with EPA's conclusions on its human health risk assessment, "such as a pesticide's likelihood to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm.

We only have until 3月 24 for the comment period!

Click HERE AND COMMENT to the EPA!

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/21/2025-00251/pesticides-petition-seeking-rulemaking-to-modify-labeling-requirements-for-pesticides-and-devices

Below are some of our sample social media posts to help you. 

POST on SOCIAL and Share by EMAIL!

1.) ATTN: A dangerous petition filed with the @EPA threatens to wipe out state and local pesticide protections, leaving communities vulnerable to cancer-causing chemicals. Now is the time to make your voice heard and sign the petition! https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/21/2025-00251/pesticides-petition-seeking-rulemaking-to-modify-labeling-requirements-for-pesticides-and-devices

2.) Communities deserve the right to protect their schools, playgrounds, and workplaces from dangerous pesticides. But a recent petition filed with the @EPA would rob states and localities of the authority to decide for themselves. We can’t let this happen–sign the petition NOW! https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/21/2025-00251/pesticides-petition-seeking-rulemaking-to-modify-labeling-requirements-for-pesticides-and-devices

3.) State and local pesticide protections could be gutted by a recent petition filed with the @EPA, leaving communities across America defenseless against cancer-causing chemicals. Stand up for your community and sign the petition TODAY! https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/21/2025-00251/pesticides-petition-seeking-rulemaking-to-modify-labeling-requirements-for-pesticides-and-devices

Thank you for being our partners in creating healthy communities!!!

 


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  • Anne Temple
    published this page in ブログ 2025-02-03 18:23:36 -0500

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