ADAMA, ARA and AFBF respond to the U.S. EPA action against chlorpyrifos

Date:08-20-2021

On August 18, the U.S. EPA announced that a Final Rule will be issued for chlorpyrifos, revoking all crop tolerances for residues of it on specific food and animal feed commodities. This comes in response to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit which on April 29, 2021, granted petitions previously filed by activist groups and ordered EPA to either reach a new safety finding for the presence of chlorpyrifos on food items or revoke the tolerances.

ADAMA will follow up directly with its customers as work to understand this decision and how to address it

While chlorpyrifos has faced increasing pressure over the years, ADAMA has stood behind the science underlying the registration of this valuable tool for growers.

Previously, ADAMA had decided to cease supply of its chlorpyrifos products (Vulcan Insecticide and Chlorpyrifos 4E) for agricultural uses. “Although Vulcan provided highly effective control of aphids, borers and worms, its popularity has waned in recent years,” said Jake Brodsgaard, VP, US. “The void is being filled by other chemistries, such as Silencer VXN, Fanfare ES, Diazinon AG500, Diamond, Cormoran, and Fulfill. The decision to discontinue supplying chlorpyrifos products was a strategic business decision that will allow ADAMA to focus on these and other newer products in its pipeline.”

What does this mean for distributors, retailers and growers?

According to EPA’s decision, growers must discontinue use of chlorpyrifos on registered food crops within 6 months. ADAMA understands that there will be many questions surrounding this unexpected decree from distributor and retail partners as well as growers who have used crop protection products containing chlorpyrifos. ADAMA will follow up directly with its customers as work to understand this decision and how to address it. As ADAMA gains clarity from the EPA on outstanding questions and concerns, ADAMA will post answers as well.

Agricultural Retailers Association comments that U.S. EPA revocation of tolerances for chlorpyrifos is a disturbing precedent for pesticide regulation

Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) President and CEO Daren Coppock released the following statement in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) action against chlorpyrifos:

“ARA is extremely disappointed in the decision to revoke all tolerances for chlorpyrifos. This product has been an essential tool for growers who need to control insect pests so they can deliver the quality produce consumers expect to grocery shelves.  

“EPA has been following a time-honored statutory process for the registration review of chlorpyrifos. Farmers, retailers, and the public all benefit from, and have the right to expect, a science-based process for reviews of pesticide products. In this case, however, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has substituted its judgement for the scientific expertise of the Agency and dictated to EPA a demand to revoke tolerances.

“Not only is this an unjustified usurpation of the Agency’s authority and expertise, but canceling tolerances for a product that remains registered for use creates uncertainty for users. The product is legal to apply for its registered use, but any residue means that the product that the application protected cannot be sold. By issuing this mandate, and EPA not fighting it, anti-pesticide activists have executed an end run around the statute that is supposed to govern these decisions. It’s a disturbing precedent from an Agency publicly committed to science-based decisions.

“ARA urges EPA to reconsider this decision and use every legal avenue available reassert its statutory authority to be the regulator of these products. If not, this will result in a flood of additional lawsuits by anti-chemical activists seeking the same end-run that will jeopardize the continued use of other essential pesticides. Consumers have benefited from a farmer’s ability to control pests and minimize damage to quality that can result without that control. This decision is problematic for this specific tool, but even more troubling is the precedent that may be set.”

American Farm Bureau Federation urges U.S. EPA to prioritize sound science in pesticide decisions

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement that the agency is revoking all tolerances for the pesticide chlorpyrifos.

“Farmers and ranchers care deeply about the quality of our crops - nothing is more important than producing safe, nutritious food. So, we must be guided by the most reliable determinant of safety, which is science. This administration has repeatedly made commitments to abide by science, yet the EPA decision on chlorpyrifos strays from that commitment and takes away an important tool to manage pests and insects. We urge EPA officials not to make determinations on pesticides outside of the regular registration review process already underway. The integrity of the registration review process and commitment to using sound science must be prioritized in a decision of such far-reaching consequences.”