US EPA wants public comment on its effort to update guidelines on the use of pesticides to protect endangered species. IFCA is unclear how this pilot program will play out. The EPA has made it very clear in the opening pages of this document that they want public input and need that feedback. They have proposed certain practices, for example, but there may be others they haven’t considered yet.  There are certain conservation practices to prevent soil moisture and runoff, mitigation measures that might implement buffer zones around sensitive habitats.  In a draft report, EPA says 27 species are vulnerable to the effects of certain pesticides, including glyphosate, 2,4-D and atrazine. These are endangered birds, plants, and invertebrates in at least 14 states across the Cornbelt including IL, MN, SD, NE, KS, WI, IA, MO, AR, IN, MI, OH, KY and TN. IFCA and the Ag Retailers Association are reviewing the details of the pilot project.  IFCA will be submitting comments to US EPA on the pilot in the coming weeks.