The 8th U.S. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on November 2 that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) did not follow the law when it banned the crop protection product chlorpyrifos. “Her decision was arbitrary and capricious. Therefore, we grant the review petitions and withdraw the order“The court said.
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) were among the producer groups that sued the EPA. They claimed that the authority ignored scientific evidence proving the safety of the pesticide.
“AFBF appreciates the work of the Court of Appeals that found that EPA failed to comply with the law when it eliminated the use of chlorpyrifos.“said Board President Zibby Duvall.
The grower groups’ goal is to reuse chlorpyrifos in 11 crops that meet all EPA risk assessment requirements, including citrus, FFVA said. “In Florida, it is a critical tool for citrus growers to protect the crop from all types of harmful pests,” the FFVA said after the ruling.
“The Biden administration has favored political science over real science to gain support from activist groups in issuing a final rule to eliminate all tolerance for chlorpyrifos.“Glenn said “GT“ Thompson is Chairman of the Agriculture Committee in the US House of Representatives. “Today’s ruling by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals is a victory for American farmers and restores an important crop protection product to them.“
FFVA expects that EPA will request a suspension of the repeal process. However, the agency will now have to update the classification for approved registrations. FFVA says it will inform farmers once chlorpyrifos is available for use again.
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