A U.S. appeals court ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to ban chlorpyrifos within 60 days. The decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reverses a Trump administration reversal of an Obama administration plan to impose a ban. Chlorpyrifos is used on cotton, corn, almonds and fruit trees including oranges, bananas and apples, to kill worms and insects. The pesticide has been linked to learning disabilities in children, according to the Hagstrom Report.
EPA banned household use of chlorpyrifos over concerns the pesticide can harm the brain and nervous system in 2000. The Environmental Working Group calls the decision a “huge victory for public health.” Meanwhile, CropLife America expressed disappointment with the decision, and is hopeful “EPA will consider all avenues of appeal” after review of the decision.
Gregg Schmidt with Corteva Agriscience provided this statement:
“Chlorpyrifos is a critical pest management tool used by growers around the world to manage a large number of pests, and regulatory bodies in 79 countries have looked at the science, carefully evaluated the product and its significant benefits and continued to approve its use. We note that this was a split decision of the panel and we agree with the dissenting judge’s opinion. We expect that all appellate options to challenge the majority’s decision will be considered. We will continue to support the growers who need this important product.”
Source: NAFB News Service