E.P.A. Finds Neonicotinoid Seed Treatments of Little or No Benefit to U.S. Soybean Production

October 16, 2014

E.P.A. Finds Neonicotinoid Seed Treatments of Little or No Benefit to U.S. Soybean Production

Washington --- Today, the E.P.A. (EPA) released an analysis 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 E.P.A. 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 review 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, E.P.A. 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 E.P.A. 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 accessible 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 E.P.A. 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 E.P.A. discontinuing certain uses, placing limits on the pesticide registration, and requiring other label changes.

Sign up for pesticide plan updates to be notified by email when the E.P.A. opens the docket and invites review on its analysis of the benefits of neonicotinoid seed treatments on soybeans.

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