SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY 523 East Capitol Avenue Pierre, SD 57501 Phone: 605-7 7 3-5425 I F ax: 605-773-5926 http://sdda.sd. gov
February 26,2016
The Honorable Gina McCarthy Office of the Administration U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administration 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 1101A Washington, DC 20460 Dear Administrator McCarthy:
Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota's economy. lt generates $25.6 billion in annual economic activity to our state and is responsible for the employment of over 1 15,000 South Dakotans. ln a rural state with less than 900,000 people, its impact is significant. The positive impact from South Dakota's agricultural production extends well beyond our state's borders. We rank in the top five states for sunflower, honey, wheat, oats, and beef production, to name just a few. This feeds not only the United States, but the world. The ability for our country to supply food for our nation, as well as countries around the world, is vital to our national security. While there is a place for federal regulation within the agriculture industry, any federal regulations should only be implemented when science based data proves the necessity of those regulations. As your agency considers decisions like pesticide use approvals, it must rely on sound data rather than what is politically expedient. ln like manner, regulations should be implemented narrowly, to meet the purpose supported by the data. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. lt's a responsibility we take very seriously. Frivolous regulatory policy can jeopardize our ability to do so. We'd urge you to consider the far-reaching ramifications of implementing regulations based on anything but sound science. Sincerely,
Lucas Lentsch Secretary of Ag riculture
Agriculture
-
South Dakota's #1 lndustry
February 26,2016
The Honorable Gina McCarthy Office of the Administration U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administration 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 1101A Washington, DC 20460 Dear Administrator McCarthy:
Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota's economy. lt generates $25.6 billion in annual economic activity to our state and is responsible for the employment of over 1 15,000 South Dakotans. ln a rural state with less than 900,000 people, its impact is significant. The positive impact from South Dakota's agricultural production extends well beyond our state's borders. We rank in the top five states for sunflower, honey, wheat, oats, and beef production, to name just a few. This feeds not only the United States, but the world. The ability for our country to supply food for our nation, as well as countries around the world, is vital to our national security. While there is a place for federal regulation within the agriculture industry, any federal regulations should only be implemented when science based data proves the necessity of those regulations. As your agency considers decisions like pesticide use approvals, it must rely on sound data rather than what is politically expedient. ln like manner, regulations should be implemented narrowly, to meet the purpose supported by the data. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. lt's a responsibility we take very seriously. Frivolous regulatory policy can jeopardize our ability to do so. We'd urge you to consider the far-reaching ramifications of implementing regulations based on anything but sound science. Sincerely,
Lucas Lentsch Secretary of Ag riculture
Agriculture
-
South Dakota's #1 lndustry
