From Industry to E.P.A.: Lobbyist Now Oversees Pesticide Rules
From Industry to E.P.A.: Lobbyist Now Oversees Pesticide Rules
Kyle Kunkler fought for a restricted weed killer that can harm plants and wildlife when it drifts to nearby land. He’s now at the E.P.A., which wants to allow its use.
Read the full article on NY Times World
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article is mostly accurate, focusing on the appointment of a former industry lobbyist to a position overseeing pesticide regulations. While the core claim is supported by multiple sources, the framing suggests a potential conflict of interest, indicating a moderate bias. The article's accuracy is slightly reduced by the lack of specific details on the weed killer mentioned.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: Kyle Kunkler fought for a restricted weed killer that can harm plants and wildlife when it drifts to nearby land.
- Verification Source #3: Confirms Kyle Kunkler was appointed as a top pesticides official.
- Verification Source #4: Confirms Kyle Kunkler is a longtime agriculture lobbyist.
- Assessment: Mostly supported. Sources confirm Kunkler's appointment and lobbying background, but don't provide details on the specific weed killer or its effects. This part of the claim is unverified by the provided sources.
- Claim: He’s now at the E.P.A., which wants to allow its use.
- Verification Source #2: Confirms the EPA hired a farm and pesticide lobbyist to oversee pesticide regulation.
- Verification Source #3: Confirms Kunkler's appointment to the EPA as a top pesticides official.
- Assessment: Supported. Multiple sources confirm Kunkler's appointment to the EPA. The claim that the EPA 'wants to allow its use' is not directly supported but is a reasonable inference given his role and prior advocacy.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Source 2: "EPA Hires Farm and Pesticide Lobbyist to Oversee Pesticide Regulation"
- Source 3: "...Environmental Protection Agency just appointed longtime industry lobbyist Kyle Kunkler as its top pesticides official."
- Source 4: "President Donald Trump has appointed longtime agriculture lobbyist Kyle Kunkler to serve as the nation's top pesticide regulator at the Environmental"