The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a notice of intent to cancel all Bayer CropScience, LP and Nichino America, Inc. flubendiamide products that pose a risk to aquatic invertebrates important to the health of aquatic environments.

Flubendiamide is registered for use on more than  200 crops, including soybeans, almonds, tobacco, peanuts, cotton, lettuce, alfalfa, tomatoes, watermelon, and bell peppers, with some crops having as many as six applications per year.

According to the EPA, required studies showed flubendiamide breaks down into a more highly toxic material that is harmful to species that are an important part of aquatic food chains, especially for fish, and is persistent in the environment.

EPA concluded that continued use of the product would result in unreasonable adverse effects on the environment. The federal agency requested a voluntary cancelation in accordance with the conditions of the original registration.

EPA had issued a time-limited registration to the companies with conditions that were understood and agreed upon. If unreasonable adverse effects on the environment were found by EPA, the companies would submit a request for voluntary cancelation of all flubendiamide registrations within one week of EPA notification.

After being informed of the EPA’s finding on Jan. 29, 2016, the companies were asked to submit a request for voluntary cancelation by Feb. 5, 2016.  They rejected EPA’s request to submit a voluntary cancelation. 

Subsequently, EPA initiated cancelation of all currently registered flubendiamide products for the manufacturers’ failure to comply with the terms of the registration.

Crops that have been properly treated with flubendiamide or that may be treated with existing stocks can still be sold legally. Provisions on handling existing stocks of the pesticide will be finalized once the products have been cancelled.

To view a copy of the Notice of Intent to Cancel and all supporting documents: https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/flubendiamide-notice-intent-cancel-and-other-supporting

The registrants or adversely affected parties have 30 days from the date of the Notice to request a hearing. Details on how to request a hearing are contained within the Notice of Intent to Cancel.