EPA could completely ban common pesticide

January 25th, 2016 by Dakota Software Staff Industry News

While agriculture has existed for nearly as long as civilization, the advances and mechanization seen in the field are incredibly recent from a long-term point of view. The addition of pesticides, modern supply chain processes and many other new systems have increased yields, reduced disease and allowed food to be transported far greater distances than in the past. However, this recency also means some innovations may prove to be more of a danger or hindrance than help once all aspects and impacts are considered. Just as DDT's reputation soured once its negative health implications were realized, the Environmental Protection Agency my soon ban another popular pesticide: chlorpyrifos.

A bold potential move
The EPA hasn't yet acted on chlorpyrifos, but its proposed changes are stark to say the least. As Western Farm Press pointed out, the EPA may revoke any and all tolerance levels currently in place related to the pesticide, making it impossible to use legally. The change was instigated by petitions from environmental and conservation groups that focused on issues with chlorpyrifos in drinking water and the potential harm that contamination could cause to humans. Those petitions were eventually brought to the legal system and the 9th Circuit Court ordered the EPA to act on them. The agency expressed its unwillingness to deny the petition due to a lack of research that would corroborate such a decision. Therefore, the organization will either issue a proposed or final revocation related to chlorpyrifos.

The controversy over the presence of chlorpyrifos in drinking water and the potential harm it causes to those with compromised or immature immune systems creates a significant conflict with farmers who feel they need the pesticide to defend their crops against otherwise intractable pests. Earth Island Journal pointed to examples of a soybean and sugar beet farmer in Grand Forks, South Dakota, and a fruit farmer in Provo, Utah, who both believe they must use chlorpyrifos to stave off pests such as maggots and aphids. Without it, the farmers believe yields could drop significantly.

A total restriction on chlorpyrifos is likely and would be a major shift for farms and the businesses that own them. Changes in environmental compliance are always important, but such a major retraction from the current set of EPA rules should have an outsized impact.