Nebraska Panhandle News

U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Deb Fischer (R-NE), together with Congressmen Randy Feenstra (R-IA-04) and Mark Alford (R-MO-04), spearheaded a bicameral group in a letter addressed to key U.S. officials urging the use of sound science and risk-based analysis in policy decisions related to crop protection tools and food-grade ingredients. The letter, sent to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, stresses the importance of scientifically-backed policies to ensure America’s health.

“We write to express our strong appreciation for your leadership and interest in working with each of you to ensure America has the healthiest people in the world," the letter states. It notes the rising rates of chronic illness and the necessity for policies supported by rigorous scientific analysis.

The letter also warns against the influence of activist groups on the Make America Healthy Again Commission. "We have concerns that environmentalists are advancing harmful health, economic, or food security policies under the guise of human health," it reads. It points out that, despite criticisms, more than 99% of pesticide residues meet EPA-established limits based on available science.

Signatories of the letter include a number of senators, such as Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Crapo (R-ID), and Joni Ernst (R-IA), alongside representatives like Mike Flood (R-NE-01), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), and Dusty Johnson (R-SD-AL).

The document underscores the urgency of policy grounded in scientific evidence, with the letter's authors expressing concern about inaccurate representations of science related to food and feed ingredients. It argues against false claims harming U.S. farmers and disrupting supply chains.

The letter concludes with a call to action: "We applaud the Commission’s desire to improve the health and well-being of Americans. We implore you to ensure policy decisions are grounded in sound science and risk-based analyses."