By Drew Viguet
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — What’s next for users and makers of crop protection products in a post-dicamba, pro-Endangered Species Act environment? That’s among the questions to be answered at the 11th Annual Mid-South Agricultural & Environmental Law Conference on June 6-7, 2024, in Memphis, Tennessee.
The National Agricultural Law Center's 11th Annual Mid-South Conference will feature a session on crop protection products, presented by EPA's Rod Snyder and NALC's Brigit Rollins. (Image courtesy Rod Snyder)
Rod Snyder, senior advisor for agriculture to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator, and Brigit Rollins, staff attorney at the National Agricultural Law Center, will be addressing the issue as co-presenters for “Tomorrow’s Harvest: An Overview of the Regulatory and Litigation Landscape for Crop Protection Products.”
Rollins said recent litigation has spurred significant changes in pesticide regulation, including vacating the registration for widely used herbicides and shifts in EPA enforcement philosophy.
“Over the last few years, we've seen dicamba become unavailable for use more than once as the direct result of lawsuits and subsequent court decisions,” she said. “Going forward, we're expecting to see additional restrictions on pesticide use as EPA works to come into better compliance with the Endangered Species Act.”
One outcome of the EPA’s shift toward a closer alignment with ESA will likely mean increased use restrictions for applicators.
“With changes to pesticide labels coming in rapidly, and sometimes unexpectedly for producers, staying informed is critical,” Rollins said.
About the Mid-South
The 2024 Mid-South conference will be held at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. The annual “Beer & BBQ” networking dinner will be held on the evening June 6 at The Rendezvous ahead of the main conference program on June 7.
“The Mid-South is an important event for the NALC and our stakeholders,” Harrison Pittman, director of the NALC, said. “The Mid-South region of the country is uniquely impacted by numerous agricultural issues, both long-standing and emerging. Our goal with the Mid-South is always to bring top-notch presenter talent and information, and we are again accomplishing that in our 11th year.”
The Mid-South also features an “Early Bird” online program on Tuesday, May 14. Rollins is presenting at the “Early Bird” as well, providing an ag and food law update alongside NALC Senior Staff Attorney Elizabeth Rumley. Their “Early Bird” session will cover topics like Prop 12, waters of the U.S. and the Farm Bill. Conference attendees who register for the Mid-South by Monday, May 13 can view the online “Early Bird.”
Full session titles and speakers for the main conference program include:
Estate Planning & The Farm: Top Tips and Practice Pointers — Connie Haden, Founder & Partner at The Law Firm of Haden & Colbert
Fourth Amendment and Agriculture: Warrantless Access to Ag & Private Rural Lands — Robert Frommer, Senior Attorney, Institute for Justice and Joshua Windham, Attorney and Elfie Gallun Fellow in Freedom and the Constitution, Institute for Justice
Tomorrow’s Harvest: An Overview of the Regulatory and Litigation Landscape for Crop Protection Products — Rod Snyder, senior adviser for agriculture to the EPA Administrator and Brigit Rollins, staff attorney, National Agricultural Law Center
USDA National Appeals Division 101: What You and Your Farm Client Need to Know — Danielle Lake, deputy regional director, USDA National Appeals Division
Artificial Intelligence in Law Practice: Navigating the Ethical Landscape — Ellen Murphy, professor of practice, Wake Forest University School of Law
2024 and Beyond: Ag Tax Update and the Corporate Transparency Act — Kristine Tidgren, director, Center for Agricultural Law & Taxation, Dolezal Adjunct Associate Professor, Agricultural Education, Iowa State University
Continuing education available
The Mid-South will be submitted for CLE accreditation in Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Approval for CE will also be sought from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.
For information about the National Agricultural Law Center, visit nationalaglawcenter.org or follow @Nataglaw on X. The National Agricultural Law Center is also on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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