(NEVADA, Iowa) — The family farmers of the Iowa Farmers Union are deeply disappointed that the Iowa Senate chose to stand with chemical companies instead of voting for family farmers, rural communities, and all Iowans.
Today, Iowa Senators voted in favor of:
- Multi-national chemical companies seeking immunity from the established civil justice system.
- A permanent liability shield so that even when products are known to cause health damage to farmers, chemical companies can escape accountability.
- Other industries which will demand similar protection from being held accountable by Iowans seeking justice through our legal system.
They also voted against the interests of:
- Farmers’ and other Iowans’ ability to seek relief after they discover an illness or permanent injury that has been caused by a product that had been labeled as safe despite clear evidence presented in a court of law.
- Safer, more effective agricultural chemicals. Why would a company invest in safer, better products if they are shielded from accountability for products that they know or find out are more harmful than the EPA label indicates?
- Iowa’s efforts to address our rising cancer rates.
“The family farmers of the Iowa Farmers Union are busy caring for their livestock and making preparations for the coming growing season. We take pride in caring for our fields, our livestock, our families, and our community. We don’t need to hide behind a label to protect us from our responsibilities,” says Aaron Lehman, Alleman farmer and president of the Iowa Farmers Union.
“Studies prove that farming is one of the most dangerous professions. Our farm families are exposed to any number of risks that are inherent in the job of raising food for our communities, our state, and our country. We proudly dedicate our lives and our livelihood to the task and take responsibility for our actions. We’re deeply disappointed that Iowa Senators chose to protect chemical companies from their responsibility to provide the safest products they can and chose to take away an important tool farmers and all Iowans have to hold those companies accountable.”
“We know that farmers in Iowa rely on safe, effective herbicides. Unfortunately, the chemicals we farmers use, even when approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and described as safe by the manufacturer, have sometimes been proven to cause damage to our health. Farmers must have the right to defend our health when chemical companies’ products cause damage.”
“Chemical companies should not be allowed to hide behind a label. This bill would take away Iowans’ ability to seek relief after they discover an illness or permanent injury that has been caused by a product that had been labeled as safe despite clear evidence presented in a court of law.”
“Pesticide companies should not get a free pass for any future liability. Our court system exists to protect us and hold those who cause harm accountable. We should all have full access to the courthouse steps.”
“Iowa law should protect our farmers and our communities instead of pesticide companies.”
“Instead of Iowa lawmakers passing this kind of protection for chemical companies, we should promote safer herbicide use by promoting better education efforts and by promoting the use of safer chemical formulations of these same chemicals that are now available and being used just as effectively around the world.”
