Ag Law Center: Key Issues to Watch for in 2024

The National Agricultural Law Center, based in Arkansas, called 2023 a year for significant developments and changes on the legal front in the ag industry. Harrison Pittman, director of the Ag Law Center, walks us through a few issues to watch for in 2024.

“I think the Endangered Species Act and particularly its relationship to pesticide registration and re-registration and how that looks going forward, I think that's one that we're going to spend a tremendous amount of time on in 2024. It was a big deal in 2023, but that is a major shift in that part of the ag industry, and it gets one that's going to continue in a big way in 2024. I would keep a close eye on the litigation side concerning pesticides. There are still quite a few cases going on. They're not all being decided at the same point. But there have been a few over the last couple of years - at least one recently - where the verdict has been very financially significant at least before appeals take place.”

And of course being in California, the Waters of the U.S., or WOTUS, will still be something to watch in the new year.

“I will keep a good eye on that one. That whole issue is important. But the traditional part of it, like the EPA Corps of Engineers’ jurisdiction over what is The Waters of the United States will remain important. The part that I would watch is what is happening in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Sackett case that came out in the spring of last year because I think that triggers activity in state proposals that cut both ways.”