Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

American farms are among the most productive on earth, enabling our farmers to feed our country and the world.

They take this responsibility seriously – just as seriously as their commitments to farm using methods that keep their neighbors, consumers and the environment safe.

Today, I am excited that we get to focus on and learn about how cutting-edge biotechnology, tried-and-true crop production techniques and sound policy equip our farmers with the tools they need to continue feeding America’s families.

To maintain a high-quality food production system, we need a regulatory framework that is transparent and based on sound science. The moment we begin to stray from these principles is the moment that trust in our food system begins to deteriorate.

That is why I am concerned with so many of the comments and actions coming out of the current administration that seem designed to undermine people’s confidence in our regulatory system, attack innovation taking place on our farms and make it harder for family farmers to do their jobs.

Take, for example, the MAHA Commission Report, which was riddled with errors and cited non-existent “studies.” Errors and misinformation like these have consequences. It undermines Americans’ trust in the food we eat and attacks farmers for the work they do.

Secretary Kennedy’s disregard for science and perversion of facts and data is dangerous, erodes confidence in our public health and regulatory systems, and dissuades talented scientists from joining the civil service.

The Environmental Protection Agency has also begun to move backward with the haphazard firing of technical staff and scientists responsible for properly assessing new chemicals and technologies and their impact on our people, food and the environment. This work requires talented toxicologists, chemists and other scientists who collaborate with industry and advocacy groups to protect the environment while ensuring farmers have access to the tools they need.

This uncertainty isn’t just bad for the Agency and American citizens that rely on the government to protect their health and the environment, it’s bad for business. Innovative products that could have come to market will be stalled in the pipeline as review times get even worse.

American scientists and farmers have unlocked the building blocks of many plants, discovering how to make crops more resilient to drought, increase production yields and reduce resource consumption.

Defunding fundamental science research and firing the civil servants and scientists who work with private companies and farmers to bring technological advancements and new crop tools to market will put us further behind as countries like Brazil, India and China increase the size and scope of their research programs.

We all want science-based regulatory decisions and policy, which is why I urge my colleagues to oppose any further defunding and termination of our research programs and scientists and rather look for opportunities to invest in these efforts and people which we all agree are critical to the future of farm country.

We have before us an impressive panel of witnesses, all of whom have extensive experience in how to effectively use crop protection tools and use groundbreaking technology to bring new and innovative products to market. As we start to move towards the reauthorization of the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA), testimony like yours can help to inform us of what improvements and changes might be made.

Thank you, and I yield back.