Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman and Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell are pushing back against California’s influence over pesticide labeling standards, calling for a unified, nationwide approach. In a joint effort, they submitted comment letters to the newly appointed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, urging the federal agency to implement consistent labeling rules for pesticides across all states.
The controversy centers on California’s Proposition 65, which mandates that products containing glyphosate – a common herbicide – be labeled as “likely carcinogenic.” This requirement remains in effect despite the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluding that glyphosate does not pose a significant risk to human health. Coleman and Shell argue that California’s stance imposes unnecessary regulatory burdens on Kentucky farmers and consumers, while also contributing to confusion and costly litigation.
“California bureaucrats are once again trying to force their will onto Kentucky’s farmers, families, and businesses—costing millions and causing confusion for producers and consumers,” said Kentucky Attorney General Coleman. “Commissioner Shell and I, along with our partners across the country, support a clear national standard that will let Kentucky farmers get back to what they do best: feeding the Commonwealth and the country.”
“California is trying to impose its ideologically driven views on essential farming products on the rest of the country,” said Nebraska Attorney General Hilgers. “Our request of the EPA is to institute a common-sense uniform labeling rule that will advance the rule of law, lift regulatory burdens on farmers and industry, and ensure that California doesn’t dictate labeling rules for the rest of the United States,” stated Attorney General Mike Hilgers.
Currently, individual states set their own pesticide labeling requirements, resulting in a patchwork of conflicting regulations that have created legal uncertainty for both manufacturers and farmers. The lack of uniformity has also led to prolonged litigation, with federal courts offering inconsistent rulings on labeling rules. Coleman and Shell are advocating for a single, uniform standard to simplify the regulatory landscape and reduce the cost of farming.
“Farmers need clarity, not confusion,” said Commissioner Shell. “A uniform national standard for pesticide labeling ensures that science—not political agendas—guides our agricultural policies. I stand with Attorney General Coleman and our partners across the country in fighting against California’s overreach and protecting our farm families from unnecessary regulatory burdens.”
The Kentucky officials’ comments are part of a broader, multistate effort. Coleman joined the Nebraska-led comment letter along with attorneys general from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, and West Virginia. This coalition is calling for nationwide consistency in pesticide labeling, emphasizing the need for science-based regulations.
While Kentucky’s leadership stands firm against California’s influence, the Golden State is also at the forefront of a separate issue regarding the pesticide chlorpyrifos. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has led a multistate effort advocating for the complete ban of chlorpyrifos due to its potential neurodevelopmental harm to children. Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate pesticide, has been linked to serious health risks, including reduced IQ and attention deficit disorders in children. California banned the pesticide’s use on all food crops in 2020, a move that has been followed by several other states.
“The facts are clear: chlorpyrifos exposure poses a grave danger to a child’s health. This pesticide has no place in our food systems,” said Califonia Attorney General Bonta. “We cannot ignore the health implications and urge the EPA to fully eliminate this harmful pesticide.”
Bonta’s coalition, which includes attorneys general from New York, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia, is urging the EPA to ban chlorpyrifos residue on all food crops, citing concerns about the pesticide’s safety, particularly for vulnerable populations.
As the debate over pesticide regulations continues to unfold, Kentucky’s leaders remain committed to fighting for the interests of farmers, ensuring that agricultural policies are based on sound science rather than political agendas.
