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EPA denies petition to ban chlorpyrifos

The EPA says it will continue to allow the use of the insecticide chlorpyrifos, calling it “crucial to U.S agriculture”.

The agency rejected a petition filed a decade ago by environmental groups seeking a ban on all uses of chlorpyrifos.

Chlorpyrifos is the main ingredient in Lorsban, Dow AgroSciences’ organophosphate insecticide targeting pests such as soybean aphids, spider mites and corn rootworm.

Dow issued a statement calling it “the right decision for farmers who, in about 100 countries, rely on the effectiveness of chlorpyrifos to protect more than 50 crops”.

In a news release, EPA administrator Scott Pruitt said the agency is “returning to using sound science in decision-making – rather than predetermined results”.