Strict requirements in the United States for the addition of neonicotinoids

The EPA, an American environmental organization, is now going to impose stricter conditions on the recognition of chemical agents in agriculture. Henceforth, the potential effects of plant protection products on endangered plant and animal habitats will be taken into account. Previous temporary additions must also comply with the new rules.

The EPA has been subjected to harsh conditions by dozens of lawsuits against farmers and horticulturists and the chemical industry. In the event of a strict accreditation process, the EPA may now prohibit its use in certain areas or in certain quantities. The EPA previously concluded in an interim report that seed treatment with neonicotinoids would “adversely affect the habitats of thousands of plant and animal species.” The immediate ban could have major consequences for US agriculture.

Commonly used pesticides in soybean, sugarcane, maize, wheat and cotton seeds are imidacloprid, clothianidine and thiomethoxam. Neonicotinoids are used on hundreds of millions of acres of U.S. farmland.

Not only these three, but all plant protection products in the United States should be subjected to this new rigorous screening. In the EU, the use of the three neonicotinoids has been subject to strict regulations since 2018.