EPA Accepts Atrazine Science Panel Recommendations
IFCA applauds EPA for agreeing with the recommendations of the atrazine Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP), removing several poor-quality studies that played a role in the agency’s recommendation for an ultra-low aquatic level of concern for atrazine. The SAP was held in August 2023 at the request of the ag input industry. The panel considered EPA’s white paper and stakeholder comments to exclude or rescore several questionable studies used to set the aquatic concentration equivalent level of concern (CELOC).
Scientists on the panel expressed appreciation to the farmers and agriculture representatives who testified on the real-world benefits and necessities of atrazine as well as the real-world consequences of EPA’s proposed decisions. Following the SAP, ag groups requested EPA review two additional low-quality studies not included in the SAP’s charge questions. The ag input industry has received reassurances the agency is reviewing those studies.
The ag input industry’s request for the atrazine SAP followed EPA’s 2022 proposed revision to the Atrazine Registration Review decision. The proposal altered the atrazine CELOC from 15 ppb to 3.4 ppb, using low-quality scientific studies and a flawed modeling system. If implemented, the proposed rule would have severely impacted atrazine use for 72 percent of U.S. corn acres, with similar effects for other crops.
If IFCA receives any addition information we will pass it along to our membership.
Scientists on the panel expressed appreciation to the farmers and agriculture representatives who testified on the real-world benefits and necessities of atrazine as well as the real-world consequences of EPA’s proposed decisions. Following the SAP, ag groups requested EPA review two additional low-quality studies not included in the SAP’s charge questions. The ag input industry has received reassurances the agency is reviewing those studies.
The ag input industry’s request for the atrazine SAP followed EPA’s 2022 proposed revision to the Atrazine Registration Review decision. The proposal altered the atrazine CELOC from 15 ppb to 3.4 ppb, using low-quality scientific studies and a flawed modeling system. If implemented, the proposed rule would have severely impacted atrazine use for 72 percent of U.S. corn acres, with similar effects for other crops.
If IFCA receives any addition information we will pass it along to our membership.