Corteva CEO Collins defends chlorpyrifos in national press club event

 Jim Collins, CEO of Corteva Agriscience, appearing before reporters at an event in Washington this week, delivered a full-throated defense of the controversial pesticide.

The Trump administration earlier this year reversed course and decided not to ban chlorpyrifos, which has been linked to neurological problems in children, after pressure from the chemical industry. The product is used on a variety of food crops, including apples and strawberries.

"It's one of the most studied products in the industry," Collins said during a National Press Club luncheon on Wednesday. "We maintain that there are safe uses and safe opportunities. It is a very important tool that growers utilize in their suite of tools to control a number of pests. We are working and cooperating with the EPA on their ... further analysis of the chemistry."

 Collins added that his company is always looking for safer and more sustainable alternatives to its products. "There will always be products under scrutiny," he said. "At the same time, we'll always be part of the solution of bringing more of those newer products to replace others over time as we learn more."

Standing by the science: Pressed by reporters on whether he disagreed with the science used by policymakers in Europe to push for banning the pesticide, Collins said: "We stand behind the science that was developed for the chemistry and believe that there are safe uses and ways to manage the risks associated with that chemistry."