U.S. EPA to Ban Pesticide Chlorpyrifos From Use on Food Crops
Chlorpyrifos will be banned from use on food crops to protect children’s developing brains, the EPA said Wednesday in a decision that will deprive farmers of an insecticide commonly used on corn, soybeans, broccoli and other edible crops.
Farmers must stop using the pesticide within six months, the Environmental Protection Agency said. The agency said it would decide by 2022 whether chlorpyrifos can continue to be used on golf courses, in nurseries and for other non-agricultural purposes.
“Today EPA is taking an overdue step to protect public health. Ending the use of chlorpyrifos on food will help to ensure children, farmworkers, and all people are protected from the potentially dangerous consequences of this pesticide,” Administrator Michael Regan said.
The EPA’s decision is a response to a court order for an analysis of the controversial chemical. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in April told the agency to decide by Aug. 20 whether it would ban chlorpyrifos uses in food or determine how much to reduce the amount allowed.
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