The fate of chlorpyrifos, one of the chief insecticides that keeps onion maggots from destroying the West’s onions, has become rather uncertain.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled on April 29 that the EPA has 60 days to make a decision on whether to ban it or make a new rule to allow for its safer use.
In that time, the National Onion Association (NOA) has joined with several other organizations that rely on chlorpyrifos to bring in their crops unscathed.
Associations, particularly grower groups, have urged the EPA to request a hearing from the entire 9th Circuit Court or file an appeal of the decision.
The letter stated that the EPA needs to pursue all legal options to protect their reputation and independence and ensure a predictable, science-based and risk-based regulatory system for chlorpyrifos and all other pesticides.
The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Attorney General were copied on the letter.
A proposed interim decision (PID) that would keep chlorpyrifos legal for use was issued by the EPA in December 2020. The letter sent to the EPA specifically mentions this PID and further suggested to the EPA that continuing the registration review process and issuing a final interim decision should be the preferred course of action as opposed to letting the court inappropriately supersede EPA’s authority and expertise.
The National Onion Association will continue to monitor all chlorpyrifos related activity and act as needed to protect its continued registration.
SOURCE: NOA Newsletter
