The largest maker of an insecticide linked to neurological problems in children and threats to wildlife said Thursday it would stop making it by the end of the year. Chlorpyrifos "has long been sprayed on strawberries, corn and citrus to kill pests," Catherine Boudreau notes for Politico's Morning Agriculture. "The EPA under President Donald Trump has resisted banning it, arguing additional safety assessments are needed."
Some states have taken action; California has banned farm us of the insecticide after this year. Gregg Schmidt, a spokesman for leading manufacturer Corteva, said "significantly" declining demand, not safety concerns, drove the decision. "The company told Reuters that it will continue to back chlorpyrifos during the EPA's review," Boudreau notes.
"Environmental groups praised the move, but cautioned that other companies are still manufacturing the pesticide, which is allowed on imported food," Boudreau writes. Andrew Kimbrell, executive director of the Center for Food Safety, said "A federal ban on chlorpyrifos is the only next logical step toward protecting children and farmworkers from this toxic pesticide."
Some states have taken action; California has banned farm us of the insecticide after this year. Gregg Schmidt, a spokesman for leading manufacturer Corteva, said "significantly" declining demand, not safety concerns, drove the decision. "The company told Reuters that it will continue to back chlorpyrifos during the EPA's review," Boudreau notes.
"Environmental groups praised the move, but cautioned that other companies are still manufacturing the pesticide, which is allowed on imported food," Boudreau writes. Andrew Kimbrell, executive director of the Center for Food Safety, said "A federal ban on chlorpyrifos is the only next logical step toward protecting children and farmworkers from this toxic pesticide."
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