The proposed Endangered Species Act Workplan regulations are complicated and could impact everything from spray drift to surface runoff.
John Hart | Dec 09, 2022
Farmers and commodity groups are being urged to file public comments with the Environmental Protection Agency on proposed changes to the agency’s Endangered Species Act Workplan, which will have significant impact on how pesticides are registered, labeled, and used in the United States.
The proposed regulations are complicated and far reaching and could impact everything from spray drift to surface runoff.
To increase awareness of the proposed regulations, Rod Gurganus, the North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension agent in Beaufort County, hosted a Dec. 5 webinar where a rundown on the EPA Endangered Species Act Workplan was presented.
In the webinar, Don Parker, vice-president of technical services with the National Cotton Council; and Rebeca Haynie, senior regulatory manager at Syngenta, provided background and details on EPA’s Endangered Species Act Workplan.
Haynie noted that on Nov. 16 EPA published an update to its ESA Workplan which includes interim ecological mitigation and other pesticide label language. Haynie said EPA particularly welcomes comments on the feasibility of implementing these measures and how the agency should adjust measures to account for the risks and benefits of a pesticide.
Public comments on the changes are due Jan. 30, 2023. Both H