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HearingHELD · 3H 32MOPEN TO THE PUBLICOPENHOUSE · AGRICULTURE ·

Crop protection and production innovations

Terranova Ranch’s Don Cameron called pesticides essential, and CPDA’s Terry Abbott cited EPA review delays. Nutrien’s Karl Wyant backed a biostimulant framework, while Agragene’s Bryan Witherbee sought updated rules for gene-edited pest controls.

Tue, Jul 22, 2025 · 10:00 AM – 1:48 PM ETLongworth House Office Building, Room 1300Longworth 1300

CHAIRGlenn Thompson R-PA-15
Angie Craig D-MN-2
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Get a note when the answers to written questions are posted.

HOURS
3:32
WITNESSES
4
MEMBERS
54
STORIES
0

Watch

OFFICIAL COMMITTEE VIDEO · 3:31:53
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Why this hearing

On the record: 4 witnesses, all from business and trade groups.

Real oversight or theater?

Did this hearing get real answers, or was it mostly speeches?

NO RATINGS YET

What each witness said

The main points of each witness’s written statement.

Terranova Ranch, Inc.Vice President and General Manager · Don Cameron
  • Argues a full range of crop protection tools, including pesticides, is essential to reliably produce appealing, high-quality fresh food.
  • Asks Congress to increase USDA research and IR-4 funding, revive biopesticide grants, and support EPA staffing and coordination with California regulators.
“a full range of innovative crop protection tools, including pesticides, is essential to ensure the reliable production of appealing, high-quality fresh produce.”
FROM WRITTEN TESTIMONY · Read the statement ↗
Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology (CPDA)Chairman · Terry Abbott
  • Reports more than half a billion dollars in member products are awaiting EPA review and says delays limit access to crop-protection tools.
  • Asks Congress to fund OPP at PRIA V's $166 million annual minimum and update NRCS standards to recognize adjuvant technologies.
“CPDA strongly supports full funding for the Office of Pesticide Programs, including the $166 million annual minimum authorized under PRIA V.”
FROM WRITTEN TESTIMONY · Read the statement ↗
NutrienDirector of Agronomy · Dr. Karl Wyant
  • Describes plant biostimulants as tools that can improve nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and plant and soil health.
  • Asks Congress to support the Plant Biostimulant Act of 2025 and include it in the Farm Bill for a clear federal framework.
“I strongly urge the Committee to support the Plant Biostimulant Act of 2025 and include it in the Farm Bill.”
FROM WRITTEN TESTIMONY · Read the statement ↗
Agragene, Inc.Chief Executive Officer · Bryan Witherbee
  • Asks Congress to update federal authority and create risk-proportionate pathways, coordinated reviews, and field validation for gene-edited pest controls.
  • Describes pgSIT as producing healthy, competitive sterile males that suppress target pests without harming non-target species or leaving residues.
“When released into the environment, they mate with wild females, leading to population suppression without harming non-target species or leaving behind any residues.”
FROM WRITTEN TESTIMONY · Read the statement ↗

  • Argues a full range of crop protection tools, including pesticides, is essential to reliably produce appealing, high-quality fresh food.
  • Asks Congress to increase USDA research and IR-4 funding, revive biopesticide grants, and support EPA staffing and coordination with California regulators.
“a full range of innovative crop protection tools, including pesticides, is essential to ensure the reliable production of appealing, high-quality fresh produce.”
FROM WRITTEN TESTIMONY · Read the statement ↗

Who asked what

We haven’t logged who asked questions at this hearing yet.

Question logs come from the committee’s official video.

The committee

54 members · 29 Republicans, 25 Democrats

Witnesses

  • Don CameronVice President and General Manager, Terranova Ranch, Inc.NON-GOVERNMENTAL · First appearance
    WITNESS TYPENon-governmental
    THIS CONGRESSFirst appearance
  • Terry AbbottChairman, Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology (CPDA)NON-GOVERNMENTAL · First appearance
    WITNESS TYPENon-governmental
    THIS CONGRESSFirst appearance
  • Dr. Karl WyantDirector of Agronomy, NutrienNON-GOVERNMENTAL · First appearance
    WITNESS TYPENon-governmental
    THIS CONGRESSFirst appearance
  • Bryan WitherbeeChief Executive Officer, Agragene, Inc.NON-GOVERNMENTAL · First appearance
    WITNESS TYPENon-governmental
    THIS CONGRESSFirst appearance

In the news

No news coverage of this hearing yet.

Timeline & documents

  1. Hearing noticed (done)
  2. Held (done)JUL 22, 2025 · 10:00 AM – 1:48 PM
  3. Video posted (done)JUL 22, 2025 · 1:48 PM
  4. Written testimony posted (done)JUL 22, 2025 · 9:07 AM
  5. Questions for the record (not yet)NOT POSTED YET
  6. Printed transcript (not yet)USUALLY ABOUT 5 MONTHS AFTER THE HEARING

aren’t posted yet. The printed transcript usually comes out about 5 months after the hearing (of hearings printed so far).

Related hearings

Data: Congress.gov committee meetings · House Committee Repository (docs.house.gov) · committee video on YouTube · GovInfo printed hearings · ChamberLight news coverage