Chlorpyriphos Ban Sets New Precedent
DOT, EPA, and OSHA have made it clear that they intend to ramp up regulatory efforts moving forward. One issue particularly concerning to IFCA as well as other agricultural organizations is EPA’s decision to ban chlorpyrifos use on all food crops grown in the United States.
When banning chlorpyrifos, EPA did not follow the process under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Science and data-based safety standards were not factors in making the decision. Instead, the court ruled EPA should revoke food tolerances for food crops versus following existing pesticide statues under FIFRA that outline how pesticides are regulated in the U.S. Current legislation in Congress could significantly weaken FIFRA, ban a whole class of pesticides, including organophosphates, and allow local governments to ban pesticides.
IFCA will keep our membership informed in any other changes happen with chlorpyriphos.