Department of Pesticide Regulation Initiates Cancellation of Chlorpyrifos Pesticide

In a news release issued May 8, 2019, the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) announced that the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is initiating cancellation of the pesticide and toxic air contaminant chlorpyrifos in California. Because chlorpyrifos is used to control pests on a variety of crops and the cancellation would apply to dozens of products containing the pesticide, CalEPA’s and DPR’s initiated ban may significantly impact growers and others in the agriculture industry.

The decision comes on the heels of recent findings by the state’s independent Scientific Review Panel on Toxic Air Contaminants that chlorpyrifos causes serious health effects in children and other sensitive groups – including effects on brain and neurological development – at lower levels of exposure than previously identified. In consultation with other state agencies, DPR determined that it was not feasible to implement additional control measures that adequately protect the health of agricultural workers and others working or living near where chlorpyrifos is used.

DPR and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) will convene a cross-sector working group to identify safer alternatives to chlorpyrifos. In the May Revision budget proposal, the Governor proposed $5.7 million in funding for research and technical assistance to support this effort. Prior to filing for cancellation of the pesticide, DPR intends to consult with county and local agricultural and air pollution control agencies. The cancellation process could take up to two years.

To read the full news release, click here: https://calepa.ca.gov/2019/05/08/california-acts-to-prohibit-chlorpyrifos-pesticide/

If you would like more information about how the DPR’s chlorpyrifos cancellation process may affect you or your business, please contact us at [email protected].

2019-12-24T18:38:53+00:00