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A scientific advisory panel will review atrazine changes

The Environmental Protection Agency is forming a Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel to review proposed label changes for atrazine later this summer.

The nomination window for panelists closed on Monday.

Last year, the EPA proposed changes to the broadleaf herbicide label to reduce the amount of product farmers can use, adjust application timing and set parameters on how the product is applied.

EPA Ag Advisor Rod Snyder tells Brownfield this panel is a key step in the agency’s updated registration process and will determine if the updated label meets the Endangered Species Act and surface water requirements.

“The peer review panel is something this administration committed to, to go back to look at the aquatic level of concern for aquatic plants and animals. We need to make sure our level of concern is scientifically defensible.”

He says EPA is still reviewing comments on the proposed changes to atrazine.

“We got thousands of comments on the proposed label changes,” says Snyder.

The advisory panel on atrazine is scheduled to meet virtually for three days in August. Brownfield interviewed Snyder during the NAFB Washington Watch in Washington D.C.