The Endangered Species Act

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service have disputed for years as to how to assess potential environmental risks of pesticides to endangered species. The agencies have historically disagreed on fundamental legal and science policy matters related to their respective obligations under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  The pesticide industry, growers, environmental activists, and Congress have been engaged in this debate for almost 50 years, which has most recently resulted in the EPA publishing the ESA Workplan.

The EPA has started to implement their new approach, with changes being phased in through individual pesticide label updates. CropLife America is working to help ensure this new approach reflects the realities of farming, fighting for practical solutions to protect both endangered species and access to essential tools. Below, you can find information on the new workplan to help stay informed.