The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that Gharda Chemicals International, Inc. has requested to voluntarily amend its chlorpyrifos product registration to terminate its use on asparagus. The EPA is set to grant this request after the comment period ends on October 16, 2024, unless substantive comments are received that warrant further review.
EPA's Plan to Terminate Asparagus Use of Chlorpyrifos
Details of the Amendment
Gharda Chemicals International, Inc. has submitted a request to the EPA to amend its chlorpyrifos product registration, specifically the "Pilot 15G Chlorpyrifos Agricultural Insecticide" (Registration No. 93182-8), to end its use on asparagus. The EPA intends to finalize this request after a 30-day comment period, closing on October 16, 2024.
Why This Matters
Chlorpyrifos is a pesticide widely used in agriculture, but its safety has been under scrutiny due to potential health risks. This voluntary amendment by Gharda reflects a growing shift toward reducing the use of such chemicals on food crops. The termination of asparagus use for chlorpyrifos is part of the ongoing efforts to address environmental and health concerns associated with pesticide use.
Key Dates and Future Implications
- Comment Period End Date: October 16, 2024
- Allowed Sale and Distribution Until: April 30, 2025
- Permitted Use Until: June 30, 2025
After these dates, the sale, distribution, and use of the affected chlorpyrifos product for asparagus will be prohibited, except for export or proper disposal.
EPA's Authority and Procedure
Under Section 6(f)(1) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), pesticide registrants may request the cancellation or amendment of their products. The EPA must provide at least a 30-day public comment period before acting on such requests. Gharda has waived the standard 180-day comment period for minor agricultural use termination, so the EPA is proceeding with a 30-day period.
What’s Next?
The EPA will review any substantive comments submitted during the comment period before issuing a final cancellation order. Stakeholders, including environmental advocates, the agricultural sector, and the general public, have an opportunity to provide input on this decision. If granted, the amendment will take effect, further limiting the use of chlorpyrifos in agriculture.
