EPA Registration Review of Pesticide imidacloprid Comment Open to April 14, 2016

EPA is accepting comments on a registration review of imidacloprid pursuant to section 3(g) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Procedural Regulations for Registration Review at 40 CFR part 155, subpart C.  Under FIFRA, EPA conducts registration reviews every 15 years.  In April 2015, EPA sent a notice to registrants of neonicotinoids including imidacloprid notifying them that existing information did not support a determination FIFRA registration standard had been met for new proposed outdoor uses. EPA’s April 2015 notice included pesticides imidacloprid, , clothianidin, thiamethoxam and dinotefuran.  The comment period for registration review is limited to imidacloprid.

Natural Resources Defense Council has raised a concern regarding effects of some neonicotinoids on pollinators, such as honeybees, which have experience decline since at least 2006 from a number of suspected causes – fungus, virus,[1] climate change and chemical effects.  NRDC and others have been calling for a ban on neonicotinoids. Restriction on use of neonicotinoids would affect worldwide use on staple crops such as soybeans and corn, and has been used to control aphids, cane beetles and a variety of other pests, including home use.

Ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee wrote to EPA Assistant Administrator Jim Jones on March 23, expressing concern with EPA’s risk assessments for neonicotinoid insecticides.  EPA’s comment period on its registration review is open until April 14, 2016.  Comments may be made on line at https://regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0844-0142

[1] Study Links Honeybee Deaths To Fungus, Insect Virus, NPR (Oct. 7, 2010) http://npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130405226

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