EPA Sets Deadlines for Decision on Five Widely Used Insecticides

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a deadline of April 30, 2027 to decide whether to revoke food tolerances for five widely used neonicotinoid insecticides. The decision comes in response to a petition filed by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) six years ago.

The five active ingredients under review are acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam. These compounds are used in pest-management programs across corn, soybeans, cotton, fruits and vegetables, and are found in insecticide products such as Poncho, Gaucho, Cruiser, Actara, Platinum, Admire Pro and Assail.

The EPA's decision will have significant implications for farmers, agronomists, co-ops and crop advisers planning future seasons. The regulatory dispute has been ongoing since May 4, 2020, and the proposed settlement establishes a firm timetable for agency action rather than resolving the scientific and regulatory merits of the petition itself.

While the agreement does not mean EPA has decided to ban or restrict the five neonicotinoids, it sets a deadline for the agency to make a determination. The actual financial impact cannot be determined until EPA specifies whether it will change existing tolerances and which crops and uses would be affected.