Syngenta petitions U.S. EPA for expanded uses of its neonicotinoid insecticide thiamethoxam

Syngenta has petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for expanded uses of its neonicotinoid insecticide thiamethoxam. Most of the new uses are on already-registered crops that are considered “unattractive” to pollinators. Others are attractive “only under certain conditions,” where any potential risk can be mitigated.
 
Farmers are in critical need of additional insect pest control in a number of crops, due to: new, emerging, or invasive pests; and pests that have developed resistance or reduced susceptibility to currently registered pesticides.  
 
Currently thiamethoxam is used only as a seed treatment in rice, alfalfa, barley, wheat, corn and sorghum; Syngenta is requesting EPA approval for foliar application in these crops. Syngenta is also requesting soil application in sugarcane, which currently uses no seed treatment, and a revised use pattern in potatoes to harmonize tolerances with Canada.  
 
Neonicotinoid insecticides, like Syngenta’s thiamethoxam, are an essential crop protection tool for farmers. The weight of scientific evidence clearly shows that bees and other pollinators can safely co-exist with neonicotinoids, when product labels are followed.