EPA Moves to Cancel the Insecticide Flubendiamide

Posted by Jackie Pucci|1 March 2016

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it is issuing a notice of intent to cancel all Bayer CropScience and Nichino America’s flubendiamide products “that pose a risk to aquatic invertebrates that are important to the health of aquatic environments.”

“Required studies showed flubendiamide breaks down into a more highly toxic material that is harmful to species that are important part of aquatic food chains, especially for fish, and is persistent in the environment,” the agency said. EPA concluded that continued use of the product would result in unreasonable adverse effects on the environment. EPA requested a voluntary cancellation in accordance with the conditions of the original registration.

In February, Bayer had refused the EPA’s request to cancel the uses of flubendiamide, which is sold under the trade name Belt and approved for more than 200 crops, including soybeans, almonds, tobacco, peanuts, cotton, lettuce, alfalfa, tomatoes, watermelon, and bell peppers. Bayer suggested EPA’s evaluation overstated the risk the product poses to the environment.

According to EPA, crops that have been properly treated with flubendiamide or that may be treated with existing stocks can still be sold legally. Provisions on handling existing stocks of the pesticide will be finalized once the products have been cancelled.

To view a copy of the Notice of Intent to Cancel and all supporting documents: https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/flubendiamide-notice-intent-cancel-and-other-supporting