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EPA releases draft neonic BEs for comment
Story Date: 8/27/2021
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Source: EPA, 8/26/21
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released draft biological evaluations (BEs) on three neonicotinoids: clothianidin, imidacloprid,
and thiamethoxam.
The draft BEs found that these products may affect, and are likely to adversely affect (LAA), certain listed species or their critical habitats. As EPA explained, a “may affect” determination means at least one individual of a species may be exposed to the pesticide at a level that would cause an effect, and an LAA indicates that that effect may be adverse. As a result, in a BE, there are usually a high number of "may affect" and LAA determinations, but these determinations do not mean that a pesticide is putting a species in jeopardy. To learn more about the BE process, click here.
The comment period for the draft neonic BEs closes on October 25, 2021. CLA has
commented on other recent
BEs, BiOps, and the
revised methods EPA uses to develop BEs, and continues to
engage EPA on the evaluations of pesticide products. For further information
please contact Manojit
Basu. Please see below for CropLife America's official statement.
"EPA’s most recent draft biological evaluations (BEs) of three neonicotinoids is the first step in a long process of evaluation of these products under the Endangered Species Act. We appreciate the agency highlighting that the BEs’ determination that these products were found 'likely to adversely affect' certain species does not reflect the product’s effect on the species as a whole. Instead, it means that at least one
individual animal or plant, among a variety of listed species, may be exposed to
the pesticide at a sufficient level to have an effect, which will be adverse
and that this determination does not necessarily mean that a pesticide is
putting a species in jeopardy. CLA continues to advocate for BEs that
incorporate more real-world data, since the design of the current BE is highly
conservative and therefore over-estimates uncertainties. We will review the BE
and provide technical comments to the agency in the next 60 days."
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