According to Environmental Health News, the decision was announced Tuesday, December 22, 2009. In an article by Editor in Chief Marla Cone, an inert ingredient is anything added to a pesticide that does not kill or control a pest. In some cases, those ingredients are toxic, but companies do not identify them on pesticide labels.

The article goes on to explain that for 11 years, EPA denied petitions seeking disclosure of the chemicals but now the new administration says it plans to draft a rule that will increase transparency and encourage companies to replace toxic substances.

Manufacturers have always argued that revealing what those inert ingredients are would be giving away their trade secrets. Inert ingredients can be more toxic than the active ingredients and make up the bulk of a pesticide.

Please read the rest of the story. This is a big deal for those of us who have worked over the years to get manufacturers to tell the whole truth about what’s in that can of pesticide.

Before she vetoed HB 2121, she said, “The milk labeling provisions negatively impact a dairy producer’s ability to inform consumers that milk is from cows not treated with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBST).

“Supporters of the bill claim it’s necessary to protect consumers from false or misleading information. Yet there has been overwhelming opposition by consumer groups, small dairy producers and retailers to this proposed legislation.

“Furthermore, I am concerned that patchwork labeling requirements that differ from state to state will make it too expensive, in an already troubled economy, to provide consumers with information regarding the dairy products they purchase.

“Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14 of the Constitution of the State of Kansas , I veto HB 2121.”