[Pollinator] EPA Finds Neonicotinoid Seed Treatments of Little or No Benefit to U.S. Soybean Production

[Matthew Shepherd]

*CONTACTS:*
Christie St. Clair (News media only)
StClair.Christie at epa.gov
202-564-2880

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
October 16, 2014


*EPA Finds Neonicotinoid Seed Treatments of Little or No Benefit to U.S.
Soybean Production*

*Washington* --- Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
released an analysis
<http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTQxMDE2LjM3MTIwMzExJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE0MTAxNi4zNzEyMDMxMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2OTE1OTUxJmVtYWlsaWQ9cmthY2hhZG9vcmlhbkBvZGEuc3RhdGUub3IudXMmdXNlcmlkPXJrYWNoYWRvb3JpYW5Ab2RhLnN0YXRlLm9yLnVzJmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZD0mJiY=&&&100&&&http://www2.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/benefits-neonicotinoid-seed-treatments-soybean-production>
of
the benefits of neonicotinoid seed treatments for insect control in
soybeans. Neonicotinoid pesticides are a class of insecticides widely used
on U.S. crops that EPA is reviewing with particular emphasis for their
impact on pollinators. The analysis concluded that there is little or no
increase in soybean yields using most neonicotinoid seed treatments when
compared to using no pest control at all. A Federal Register notice
inviting the public to comment on the analysis will publish in the near
future.

“We have made the review of neonicotinoid pesticides a high priority,” said
Jim Jones, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and
Pollution Prevention. “In our analysis of the economic benefits of this use
we concluded that, on a national scale, U.S. soybean farmers see little or
no benefit from neonicotinoid seed treatments.”

During the review of the neonicotinoids, EPA found that many scientific
publications claim that treating soybean seeds has little value. Part of
our assessment examined the effectiveness of these seed treatments for pest
control and estimated the impacts on crop yields and quality, as well as
financial losses and gains. The law requires EPA to consider the benefits
of using pesticides as well as the risks.

The analysis concluded that:

·  There is no increase in soybean yield using most neonicotinoid seed
treatments when compared to using no pest control at all.

·  Alternative insecticides applied as sprays are available and effective.

·  All major alternatives are comparable in cost.

·  Neonicotinoid seed treatment could provide an insurance benefit against
sporadic and unpredictable insect pests, but this potential benefit is not
likely to be large or widespread throughout the United States.

This analysis is an important part of the science EPA will use to move
forward with the assessment of the risks and benefits under registration
review for the neonicotinoid pesticides.  Registration review --- the
periodic re-evaluation of pesticides to determine if they continue to meet
the safety standard --- can result in EPA discontinuing certain uses,
placing limits on the pesticide registration, and requiring other label
changes.

Sign up for pesticide program updates
<http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTQxMDE2LjM3MTIwMzExJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE0MTAxNi4zNzEyMDMxMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2OTE1OTUxJmVtYWlsaWQ9cmthY2hhZG9vcmlhbkBvZGEuc3RhdGUub3IudXMmdXNlcmlkPXJrYWNoYWRvb3JpYW5Ab2RhLnN0YXRlLm9yLnVzJmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZD0mJiY=&&&101&&&http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/cb/csb_page/form/form.html>
to
be notified by email when the EPA opens the docket and invites comment on
its analysis of the benefits of neonicotinoid seed treatments on soybeans.
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