On April 30, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced they are proposing to cancel all ...

On April 30, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced they are proposing to cancel all but one use of acephate, which is an organophosphate with the trade name Orthene. Acephate has agricultural uses for cotton and soybeans. The EPA is basing this decision on their analysis that it carries too much risk for workers, water consumers, and the environment. They are planning to allow use for tree injections, claiming these risks are eliminated in that use.

The EPA is also changing the available uses for four different fungicides: captan, ferbam, ziram, and thiram. While these fungicides are primarily used on crops not common to Nebraska (fruits being their main use), it showcases the EPA further restricting uses of current pesticides.

Yet again, the EPA is attempting to limit our crop protection toolbox. Nebraska Farm Bureau dedicated to ensuring our members have a range of tools available to protect their products.

You may find more information on the official EPA press release. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Kole Pederson, director of environmental & regulatory affairs, at [email protected].