A EPA dos EUA anuncia o registro proposto do pesticida Diflufenican
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released for public comment its proposed registration decision for two products containing the new active ingredient diflufenican, a broad-spectrum herbicide for use for preplant and preemergence control of broad leaf weeds including waterhemp, Palmer amaranth, and other pigweed species in corn and soybean. This new active ingredient would give farmers an additional tool to help manage crops and increase yields in order to provide a healthy and affordable food supply for our country.
Diflufenican is expected to be a useful addition to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Resistance Management (RM) programs, as it can be used in rotation with other herbicides to reduce potential resistance in crops and delay the onset of further herbicide resistance. IPM provides an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest control by focusing on prevention and using pesticides only as needed.
EPA’s Risk Assessments
In addition to its proposed registration decision, EPA has also released its human health risk assessment, ecological risk assessment, and draft biological evaluation, with the latter including EPA’s Likely to Adversely Affect (LAA) determination for diflufenican under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). An LAA determination means that EPA reasonably expects at least one listed plant or animal species may be exposed to the pesticide at a sufficient level to have an adverse effect. No human health risks of concern were identified when diflufenican is used according to the proposed label.
Additionally, EPA has not identified any risks of concern for non-listed birds, reptiles, terrestrial-phase amphibians, bees, aquatic and non-bee terrestrial invertebrates, and freshwater and estuarine/marine fish on an acute or chronic exposure basis. Diflufenican is an herbicide and potential risk to terrestrial plants is expected. However, population-level impacts are not likely to extend off the treated field when considering the proposed mitigations required on the draft label.
Mitigações propostas
EPA is proposing the following mitigation measures to address on- and off-field effects to non-target species, including listed species:
- Instructing users to access and follow any applicable endangered species bulletin from the “Bulletins Live Two” web-based system for all additional directions and restrictions.
- Instructing users to access the EPA’s Mitigation Menu website and choose among the mitigation and/or mitigation relief measures to meet or exceed the 2-point runoff/erosion mitigations required for diflufenican use on corn and soybean before applying this product.
The registrant voluntarily included geographical restrictions on the label (i.e., adding label language that prohibits the use of these products in the states of California, Alaska, Hawaii, and in most of Florida). The agency believes the proposed mitigations will avoid the potential likelihood of future jeopardy for listed species and/or adverse modification of designated critical habitats.
Próximos passos
After considering public comments on the proposed registration decision, the draft risk assessments and the draft effects determinations, EPA will decide whether the registration action meets the standard for registration under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). If EPA determines that the registration action can be granted, EPA will finalize the biological evaluation. If a final biological evaluation finds that diflufenican may affect any listed species or critical habitats, then EPA will initiate ESA consultation and share its findings with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service (collectively referred to as the Services), as appropriate.
During formal consultation, the Services use the information in EPA’s final biological evaluation to inform their biological opinions. While EPA has made predictions about the likelihood of jeopardy and adverse modification as part of its biological evaluation, the Services are responsible for making the final jeopardy/adverse modification findings and have the sole authority to do so. If the Services determine in their final biological opinions that additional mitigations are necessary to address any jeopardy or adverse modification determination or to address any incidental take, then EPA will work with the registrant to ensure that any necessary registration or labeling changes are made.
To read more about the proposed registration of diflufenican and to comment, see docket ID EPA-HQ-OPP-2021-0435 at www.regulamentos.gov. The public comment period will be open for 30 days, closing on July 4, 2025.
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