<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
</head>
<body>
<p>
</p>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-unicode">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoPlainText">Hi Dr. Inouye,</p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"> <a name="_Hlk32571625">Thank you for
writing the Environmental Protection Agency’s pesticides
program.</a></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk32571625"> EPA
is taking the next step in its regulatory review of
neonicotinoid pesticides -- a group of insecticides used on
a wide variety of crops, turf, ornamentals, pets (for flea
treatment), and other residential and commercial indoor and
outdoor uses. The agency’s proposed interim decisions for
acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, and
thiamethoxam contain new measures to reduce potential
ecological risks, particularly to pollinators, and protect
public health.</span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk32571625"> EPA
is proposing: <br>
</span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoPlainText" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span
style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk32571625">management measures to
help keep pesticides on the intended target and reduce the
amount used on crops associated with potential ecological
risks;</span></li>
<li class="MsoPlainText" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span
style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk32571625">requiring the use of
additional personal protective equipment to address
potential occupational risks;</span></li>
<li class="MsoPlainText" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span
style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk32571625">restrictions on when
pesticides can be applied to blooming crops in order to
limit exposure to bees;</span></li>
<li class="MsoPlainText" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span
style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk32571625">language on the label
that advises homeowners not to use neonicotinoid products;
and</span></li>
<li class="MsoPlainText" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span
style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk32571625">cancelling spray uses of
imidacloprid on residential turf under the Food Quality
Protection Act (FQPA) due to health concerns.</span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk32571625"> Additionally,
the agency is working with industry on developing and
implementing stewardship and best management practices.</span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk32571625"> Upon
publication of the Federal Register notice, the agency
invites comments on the proposed decisions in the following
dockets until April 3, 2020. After reviewing public input,
the agency will issue final interim decisions. Go to </span><a
href="https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0581-0357"><span
style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk32571625">https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0581-0357</span><span
style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk32571625"></span></a><span
style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk32571625"> to review the materials
and submit your comment. </span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk32571625"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk32571625">More
information available on EPA’s </span><a
href="https://www.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/epa-actions-protect-pollinators"><span
style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk32571625">proposed interim
decisions</span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk32571625"></span></a><span
style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk32571625"> for neonicotinoids. </span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk32571625"></span>
<p class="MsoPlainText"> </p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Best regards,</p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"> </p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Office of Pesticide Programs</p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">U.S. Environmental Protection Agency</p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"> </p>
<br>
<p class="MsoPlainText"> </p>
</div>
</div>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Dr. David W. Inouye
Professor Emeritus
Department of Biology
University of Maryland
Principal Investigator
Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory</pre>
</body>
</html>