DELAWARE, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Ohio farmers are voicing their strong disapproval following the release of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) report, issued by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. on Thursday. The report casts doubt on the safety of widely used pesticides such as atrazine and glyphosate, crucial tools for agriculture in Ohio and across the nation.
Leaders within the state’s agricultural community argue that the MAHA report presents unsubstantiated claims that disregard decades of scientific research affirming the safety and effectiveness of established farming practices.
“We are deeply disappointed that the Make America Healthy Again Commission would release a report that raises questions that have already been answered about the safe use of pesticides,” said Tadd Nicholson, Executive Director of the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association. “This report ignores decades of sound science and could jeopardize the ability of Ohio farmers to do their jobs efficiently and responsibly.”
The MAHA report suggests a potential link between pesticide application and chronic health problems in children. While it does not explicitly recommend limitations on pesticide use, the report’s implications have generated what growers see as unwarranted apprehension and a call for further investigation, which they contend goes against the established scientific consensus and regulatory oversight.
“Ohio farmers live and work on the same land where they raise their families,” Nicholson emphasized. “They prioritize safety for their crops, communities, and children. The tools they use, including atrazine and glyphosate, are among the most extensively studied and regulated products in the world. These products have undergone rigorous EPA review and approval, and their safety has been confirmed time and again.”
The Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association points out that pesticides are subjected to thorough scientific assessment and regular reviews by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The association is urging President Trump, policymakers, regulators, and the public to align with scientific evidence rather than speculation, and to support Ohio farmers who are dedicated to providing food and fuel for the country.
“What Ohio farmers need is support, not suspicion,” Nicholson added. “This report only adds to the confusion in a conversation that should be rooted in facts. Our growers are committed to transparency and responsible stewardship. We welcome dialogue about public health, but it must be based on evidence, not fear.”