The EPA has set new limits on the use of three commonly used pesticides, including the highly controversial chlorpyrifos.
The EPA allows the continued use of chlorpyrifos, malathion and diazinon on all occasions with the new protections on the label. This final decision is based on the final biological opinion of the Fish and Wildlife Service. The bureau found that potential threats to endangered species could be mitigated with additional restrictions.
"These measures not only protect protected-listed species, but also reduce potential exposure and ecological impacts in these areas when malathion, chlorpyrifos and diazinon are used," the agency said in a release. EPA Approval of the revised label for product registration holders will take approximately 18 months.
Farmers and other users use these organophosphorus chemicals to control a wide variety of pests on a variety of crops. The EPA banned the use of chlorpyrifos in food crops in February because of links to brain damage in children, but it still allows it to be used for other uses, including mosquito control.
All pesticides are considered highly toxic to mammals, fish and aquatic invertebrates by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries Division. As required by federal law, the EPA consulted with the two agencies regarding the biological opinion.
Under the new restrictions, diazinon must not be sprayed in the air, nor can chlorpyrifos be used in large areas to control ants, among other things.
Other protections are aimed at preventing pesticides from entering water bodies and in ensuring that the overall load of chemicals is reduced.
The NOAA Fisheries Division noted that without additional restrictions, the chemicals would pose a danger to species and their habitats.
Groups such as the Center for Food Safety have urged tighter restrictions or outright bans on these pesticides. The group says overly simplistic labeling instructions on pesticides are either ineffective or not followed.
The latest measures do not address human health risks, which the EPA will assess through a separate process. The aforementioned dangers fuel the debate over chlorpyrifos, with many congressional Republicans saying the ban deprives farmers of an important pest management tool.
The Democratic-led House Appropriations Committee this week approved its proposed report on the EPA's fiscal 2023 spending bill, backing the chlorpyrifos limit.
The report accompanying the bill states: "The committee endorses the findings of numerous studies establishing a link between chlorpyrifos use and brain damage in children. It is hoped that the EPA will meet its obligations to protect human health and the environment."
Source: AgroPages
