Executives for agricultural technology companies declined at a Tuesday hearing to come defend EPA’s research and development staff that’s being gutted by the Trump administration.
Leaders of companies that rely on EPA for product approvals largely drew blanks and looked at each other when asked by Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii) whether the administration’s decision to eliminate the agency’s Office of Research and Development is a good idea.
Tokuda, sharply critical of the administration’s move, asked the four witnesses to reflect on the role of EPA in their industries and on how the administration’s reshuffling and sharp workforce reductions may help or hurt their businesses.
Only Bryan Witherbee, CEO of Agragene, a biotech company specializing in insect sterilization, weighed in, saying the current system leaves room for improvement — beset with delays and backlogs that leave farms vulnerable to weeds, pests and diseases.
