Tennessee: TAKE ACTION to Ensure Pesticide Makers Remain Liable for Injuries to Tennesseans

Legislation introduced in Tennessee, SB 0527 and HB 0809, stands to remove pesticide makers’ liability for injuries caused by pesticides bearing an EPA-approved label under the federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! SB 0527 will be voted on Monday, March 24 at noon by the Senate Judiciary Committee and HB 0809 will be voted on Wednesday, March 26 at noon by the House Judiciary Committee.

SB 0527 was introduced by Sen. John Stevens who, according to recent media accounts, told lawmakers that lobbyists with the Farm Bureau and pharmaceutical/biotechnology giant Bayer – manufacturer of the weedkiller Roundup – ”asked him to carry the bill.”

If these bills become law, Tennessee residents harmed by pesticides would lose their right to hold manufacturers accountable in court unless very restrictive conditions are met.

• Violate Constitutional Rights These bills undermine the 7th Amendment right to trial by jury. Any law that restricts a constitutional right must be carefully justified, yet no compelling case has been made for stripping the people of Tennessee of their right to seek legal recourse for pesticide-related health effects.
• Weaken Consumer Protections These bills remove critical legal avenues, such as “failure to warn” lawsuits, for Tennesseans harmed by pesticides, leaving victims with little or no recourse.
• Reduce Corporate Accountability Limiting liability may reduce pesticide manufacturers’ diligence with respect to product safety, increasing risks for consumers and the environment.
• Threaten Public Health & the Environment In the absence of meaningful legal consequences, manufacturers may take fewer precautions, increasing risks to both citizens and the environment from chemical exposures.
• Set a Dangerous Precedent If these bills become law, other industries could seek similar liability protection, further eroding consumer rights (and health and safety) across various sectors.

We’ve already seen the consequences of shielding an industry from liability: Vaccine manufacturers have enjoyed legal immunity for decades, leaving countless injured individuals with no meaningful recourse. We cannot allow corporations such as Bayer to bully our elected officials into sacrificing the rights of consumers to hold pesticide makers accountable.

1. Click on “Take Action” and follow the steps to have your voice heard.
2. Set a meeting with your legislators. It is their job to listen to their constituents!