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EPA acts to cancel flubendiamide registrations; Bayer has said it will fight

[/title][fusion_text]Tuesday, March 1st 2016

EPA is moving ahead with cancellation of the pesticide flubendiamide, which under the trade name Belt is registered for use on more than 200 crops, including soybeans and almonds. Registrants Bayer CropScience and Nichino America already told the agency they plan to fight the cancellation decision. In addition to soybeans and almonds, Belt is also used on tobacco, peanuts, cotton, lettuce, alfalfa, tomatoes, watermelon, and bell peppers, “with some crops having as many as six applications per year,” EPA said. EPA asked the companies in January to voluntarily cancel the registrations. They told EPA they would contest the matter. Once a Federal Register notice is published announcing the intent to cancel, the registrations will be cancelled unless the companies ask for a hearing under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) within 30 days. EPA studies that show “flubendiamide breaks down into a more highly toxic material that is harmful to species that are an important part of aquatic food chains, especially for fish, and is persistent in the environment,” EPA said in its press release. “EPA concluded that continued use of the product would result in unreasonable adverse effects on the environment. EPA requested a voluntary cancellation in accordance with the conditions of the original registration.”

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