Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 2/7/20

Corteva, the largest manufacturer of chlorpyrifos that has long been sprayed on strawberries, corn and citrus to kill pests, said Thursday it will stop making the product by the end of this year . The insecticide is linked to neurological problems in children and threats to wildlife, but the EPA under President Donald Trump has resisted banning it, arguing additional safety assessments are needed, Pro Ag's Liz Crampton reports.

Some states decided to take action on their own , including California, where farmers can't use the insecticide after Dec. 31. Hawaii was the first state to ban chlorpyrifos, which will take effect in 2022. The European Union has also banned its use. Corteva spokesperson Gregg Schmidt said "significantly" declining demand over the last two decades drove the decision to stop making chlorpyrifos, not safety. The company told Reuters that it will continue to back chlorpyrifos during the EPA's review.

Environmental groups praised the move, but cautioned that other companies are still manufacturing the pesticide, which is allowed on imported food. "Corteva's decision to terminate the production of chlorpyrifos shows that grassroots campaigns and state-level victories can have far-reaching impacts," Andrew Kimbrell, executive director of Center for Food Safety, said in a statement. "A federal ban on chlorpyrifos is the only next logical step toward protecting children and farmworkers from this toxic pesticide."