U.S. NMFS issues biological opinion for 12 OP pesticides

EPA has received new a Biological Opinion from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under the Endangered Species Act. This opinion relates to the potential effects from the application of products containing any of 12 organophosphate (OP) pesticides to federally listed threatened or endangered Pacific salmon and steelhead and their designated critical habitat. The 12 OPs addressed in this Biological Opinion are azinphos-methyl, bensulide, dimethoate, disulfoton, ethoprop, fenamiphos, methamidophos, methidathion, methyl parathion, naled, phorate, and phosmet. It provides a one-year time frame for implementation, like the November 2008 Biological Opinion for chlorpyrifos, diazinon and malathion, and the April 2009 Biological Opinion for carbaryl, carbofuran and methomyl. EPA will follow up by developing a plan explaining how the Agency will implement NMFS’ opinions. EPA remains committed to taking the necessary steps to protect threatened and endangered species from pesticide risks and using rigorous scientific information and methods to develop any necessary pesticide use limitations.