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Committee approves SB 144 to clarify pesticide labeling liability; supporters and public-health critics spar in hearing
Summary
SB 144, which the committee voted to approve, would clarify that manufacturers need not be held liable for failing to warn of risks that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has not required on a product label; the bill drew support from agribusiness groups and opposition from public-health and consumer advocates.
The House Committee on Agriculture & Consumer Affairs voted to approve Senate Bill 144 after a lengthy hearing that featured testimony from farmers, agribusiness organizations and public-health advocates.
Sponsor Sen. Watson told the committee the bill "clarifies that the manufacturer cannot be held liable for failing to warn consumers of health risk above those required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency." He described the federal label-review process as rigorous, saying it can take roughly 10to15 years and substantial resources for a manufacturer to obtain label approval.
Supporters at the hearing, including the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Georgia Farm Bureau and the Georgia Urban Ag Council, said the bill preserves access…
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