EPA Proposal

Abstract

EPA Proposes New Ag Herbicide Rules ‐ Q&A Six-Pack: EPA Draft Herbicide Strategy The EPA’s Draft Herbicide Strategy Framework outlines how the agency intends to provide protection for threatened and endangered species while ensuring herbicide access to users. The herbicide toolbox is about to increase for US farmers. For nearly two years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said it will no longer turn a blind eye toward the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and its legal obligation to ensure that pesticides do not jeopardize the continued existence of nearly 1,700 federally threatened or endangered species. In July 2023, EPA took what it believes is another step toward ESA compliance, releasing the “Draft Herbicide Strategy Framework.” The 96-page proposal outlines how the agency intends to protect more than 900 listed species and their designated critical habitats (CH) from agricultural uses of conventional herbicides in the lower 48 states. The document is available for public comment until 22 October. The draft herbicide strategy presents substantial change, requiring herbicide users to implement mitigation measures for potential impacts much earlier ‐ even before EPA or the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) determines definitely that a herbicide poses a risk. Here are answers to six questions about EPA’s Draft Herbicide Strategy Framework. For a quick explanation of some of the terms that EPA uses, read this post on the DTN Production Blog.