As many of you may have already heard, the EPA has decided to ban the use of chlorpyrifos (e.g. Lorsban) for use in food production. While chlorpyrifos has been on the chopping block for many years, yesterday’s announcement came as quite the surprise. For more information, please see the EPA’s official statement here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-takes-action-address-risk-chlorpyrifos-and-protect-childrens-health
Unfortunately, details about the ban are not yet known, but I will make sure to update the blog as I learn them. In the mean time, if you are currently planning to use chlorpyrifos this season for trunk sprays, continue to do so until further notice.
To be continued…
UPDATE – 8/23/21:
According to the “Pre-Public Notice” of the EPA’s notice of “Chlorpyrifos; Tolerance Revocations”, the revocations of the tolerances for all commodities will be effective in 6 months from now.
The full notice can be accessed here: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-08/pre-pub-5993-04-ocspp-fr_2021-08-18.pdf
UPDATE 9/20/21:
The EPA released a Frequently Asked Questions document on their website:
The EPA has consolidated a list of 10 common questions, so if you have any questions about the revocation of chlorpyrifos tolerances, it is worth checking out the above link.
A few key takeaways from the FAQs page.
In reference to how the decision impacts current crops treated with chlorpyrifos this fall, “Until the date the tolerances expire, chlorpyrifos may be used on food commodities in accordance with label directions and the existing tolerances.” After the tolerances are revoked in 6 months, “new applications of chlorpyrifos will render any food so treated adulterated and unable to be distributed in interstate commerce.”
In terms to existing stocks of chlorpyrifos, there are currently no new restrictions on purchasing or using chlorpyrifos according to the existing label, and as such, technically speaking there are no “existing stocks” at this time. While the current rule “ does not prohibit sale and distribution of registered pesticide products,” in 6 months, the EPA will “cancel registered food uses of chlorpyrifos associated with the revoked tolerances.”
As such, use of chlorpyrifos during the fall 2022 will not be tolerated.
Also, note that there is a process for providing feedback. “Any person may file an objection to any aspect of this regulation and may also request a hearing on those objections. All objections and requests for a hearing must be in writing and must be received by the Hearing Clerk on or before October 29, 2021. Please see Section 1C of the final rule for instructions on providing feedback.”
