Adama and local associations respond to the US Environmental Protection Agency's action to cancel the chlorpyrifos residue limit

 

Adama recently stated that it will follow up directly with customers to understand this decision and how to resolve this issue
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Although chlorpyrifos has faced increasing pressure over the years, Adama has always been committed to this important grower tool to obtain the scientific basis for registration
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Jake Brodsgaard, vice president of Adama USA, said that before that, Adama had decided to stop supplying its agricultural chlorpyrifos products, including Vulcan insecticide and Chlorpyrifos 4E
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Although Vulcan provides effective control of aphids, borers and worms, its popularity has declined in recent years
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Chlorpyrifos products are being replaced by other chemicals such as Silencer VXN, Fanfare ES, Diazinon AG500, Diamond, Cormoran and Fulfill
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In addition, the decision to stop the supply of chlorpyrifos products is a strategic business decision that will enable Adama to focus on the research and development of alternative products and new products
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　　What does this mean for distributors, retailers and growers?

 

　　According to the EPA's decision, growers must stop using chlorpyrifos on registered food crops within 6 months
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It is reported that distributors and retail partners, as well as growers who have used crop protection products containing chlorpyrifos, have raised many questions about this ban
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　　The Association of Agricultural Retailers (ARA) stated that the EPA's withdrawal of chlorpyrifos residue limits is a disturbing precedent for pesticide regulation
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　　Daren Coppock, Chairman and CEO of ARA, issued the following statement on the EPA’s ban on chlorpyrifos:

 

　　ARA was extremely disappointed with the decision to abolish all residue limits for chlorpyrifos
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For growers who need to control pests, this product has always been an indispensable tool so that growers can deliver high-quality products that meet consumer expectations to the market
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　　The EPA has been following the long-standing legal procedures for registration and review of chlorpyrifos
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Farmers, retailers and citizens all benefit from its science-based pesticide product review process
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However, in this case, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals replaced scientific expertise with the agency’s decision and issued a request to EPA to revoke the limit
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　　This is not only an unreasonable usurpation of the authority and expertise of the institution, but also the cancellation of the residue limits for registered products has brought uncertainty to users
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　　ARA urges EPA to reconsider this decision and use all available legal means to reiterate the legal authority of its chlorpyrifos product regulatory agency
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If not, this will result in a large number of additional lawsuits by anti-pesticide campaigners seeking the same end result, and will likely endanger the continued use of other basic pesticides
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Consumers benefit from the benefits of pest control by growers and minimize the quality loss that may be caused by the lack of appropriate control programs
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This EPA decision is still problematic for chlorpyrifos, but what is more disturbing is that it may set a precedent
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　　The American Federation of Agriculture Bureaus (AFBF) urges EPA to prioritize reasonable scientificity in pesticide decision-making
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AFBF Chairman Zippy Duvall commented on the EPA’s decision to abolish all residue limits for the pesticide chlorpyrifos, saying that farmers and ranchers are very concerned about the quality of their crops and that it is most important to produce safe and nutritious food
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Therefore, the most reliable security determinant must be followed, and this factor is science
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This administration has repeatedly promised to abide by science, but the EPA’s decision on chlorpyrifos deviated from this promise and deprived it of important tools for pest management
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AFBF will urge EPA officials not to make decisions about pesticides outside of the regular registration review procedures that have already been conducted
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When making far-reaching decisions, priority must be given to the integrity of the registration review process and the commitment to use reliable science
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