U.S. farm groups representing thousands of farmers and farmer-owned cooperatives that will be harmed by EPA’s decision to revoke all tolerances of chlorpyrifos are taking legal action against the agency. In a news release, the groups reiterated that the chlorpyrifos revocation rule does no good for human health, is harmful to farmers and farm co-ops, and EPA must be held accountable. Brad Doyle, soy farmer from Arkansas and president of ASA commented, “EPA’s proposed interim decision back in December 2020 for the re-registration of chlorpyrifos found 11 high-benefit, low-risk crop uses that the agency was confident ‘will not pose potential risks of concern.’ How can they now deny all uses, even when the court gave them options for keeping those found safe? The agricultural stakeholders taking legal action are first seeking an injunction of the rule to prevent the first wave of significant, irreparable damage the chlorpyrifos revocation would cause if it were to take effect on the Feb. 28 implementation date. The groups are ultimately seeking vacatur of the rule where it conflicts with well-established, properly developed science — specifically, the 11 uses found to be safe.
