The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its new plan designed to protect endangered species from the dangers of pollution and support sustainable agriculture to forge a better, cleaner path forward.
The work plan will serve as a blueprint and roadmap for how the EPA will meet its goals of protecting endangered animals, providing people with affordable food and providing protection for the general public from pests, according to an April 12 news release.
"Today’s workplan serves as the blueprint for how EPA will create an enduring path to meet its goals of protecting endangered species and providing all people with safe, affordable food and protection from pests," EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in the release. “The workplan reflects EPA’s collaboration with other federal agencies and commitment to listening to stakeholders about how they can work with the agency to solve this longstanding challenge.”
One of the key collaborators on the new program will be White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory, according to the release.
“I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively across the federal government to better protect wildlife from extinction and minimize the impacts of pesticides,” Mallory said.
"USDA appreciates the steps EPA is taking today," USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie said, according to the release. "We are confident that EPA can streamline ESA consultations around pesticides in a way that continues to conserve wildlife while allowing farmers access to the tools they need to produce the food and fiber that all of us rely on.”
