Draft EPA Pesticide Review Citing Bee Risk Generates Competing Concerns

May 2, 2016
Pesticide producers and environmental groups are raising conflicting concerns over EPA's draft review of the insecticide imidacloprid’s risks to pollinators, with industry arguing the assessment relies on overly conservative assumptions while advocates say the draft underestimates risks to bees and overlooks risks to numerous other species. EPA took comment through April 14 on its preliminary risk assessment of imidacloprid, which found residues of the commonly-used neonicotinoid insecticide in the pollen and nectar of citrus and cotton, both bee-attractive crops, may...


Not a subscriber? Sign up for 30 days free access to exclusive environmental policy reporting.