In line with stipulation agreement, MDA opens public comment period on pesticide rules 

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has opened a public comment period on the adequacy of the state’s pesticide rules (Chapter 1505). The action is in line with a court-approved stipulation agreement between the plaintiffs (a coalition of environmental groups) and the defendants (Attorney General/MDA and an intervenor coalition of farmer organizations and CropLife America). 

In 2025, the activist groups sued MDA arguing that Minnesota rules don’t adequately protect natural resources from neonicotinoid-treated crop seeds. They sought to have a judge compel the agency to enact regulations on treated seed—circumventing the normal administrative rulemaking process that allows for public input. 

MCGA and the other farmer groups intervened in the lawsuit and the result was the stipulation agreement that required MDA to review the adequacy of current Minnesota rules. The agreement stipulates that the activist groups will not enter any orders that would impose new restrictions on farmers while the administrative agencies do their work. The stipulation agreement ensures administrative review of regulations instead of judicial review. 

MCGA will be submitting comments to MDA in the coming months.