Protect Wildlife from Toxic Farm Bill Loophole

A dangerous provision buried in the Farm Bill could quietly allow harmful pesticides to remain in use for years longer—putting already struggling wildlife at even greater risk. Top Democrats on the House and Senate Agriculture Committees are in key positions to act, but need to know the public opposes these delays.

Under current law, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must regularly review pesticides to ensure they don’t cause unreasonable harm to people, pollinators, or ecosystems. These reviews are a critical safeguard—one of the only lines of defense protecting bees, birds, fish, and endangered species from toxic exposure.

But this Farm Bill would gut that safeguard by reportedly delaying final pesticide safety decisions until 2031 and replacing them with weaker, “interim” reviews.

That delay has real consequences.

Pesticides have been linked to pollinator declines and insect population declines that underpin entire food webs. Birds that rely on those insects for food are disappearing. Aquatic species are exposed through runoff that contaminates rivers and wetlands, disrupting reproduction and harming fish and amphibians.

Even low levels of some pesticides can impair navigation in pollinators, reduce fertility in wildlife, and accumulate in ecosystems over time—causing cascading effects that ripple through habitats.

Endangered species are especially vulnerable. Without timely, science-based reviews, harmful chemicals can continue to be used in or near critical habitats, pushing already fragile populations closer to extinction.

At a time when scientists warn we are in the midst of a global biodiversity crisis, delaying pesticide safety reviews is reckless. Pesticides are a major contributor to biodiversity loss, and weakening oversight will only accelerate the decline.

This provision is a giveaway to chemical companies—allowing them to avoid full accountability while wildlife and ecosystems pay the price.

As top Democrats on the Agriculture Committees, Ranking Member Klobuchar and Ranking Member Craig have the power to ensure the Farm Bill protects our environment—not undermines it.

Please sign the petition to urge them to oppose any language that delays EPA pesticide reviews or weakens environmental safeguards.

Our wildlife can’t wait. Our ecosystems can’t wait. We need action now.

The petition to Ranking Member Klobuchar and Ranking Member Craig reads: Congress must not weaken pesticide safeguards at a time of accelerating wildlife loss. We call on Congress to reject any Farm Bill provisions that delay EPA pesticide reviews or replace them with weaker standards. Protect pollinators, endangered species, and the ecosystems we all depend on by standing up for science, accountability, and timely environmental protections.