Science Prevails in Latest Atrazine Assessment

A decades-long effort by grower organizations to ensure science-based regulation of atrazine reached an important milestone this month as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reconfirmed atrazine and simazine do not pose a risk to the continued existence of threatened and/or endangered species.  The decision follows years of advocacy by the Triazine Network, a coalition formed in 1995 to represent agriculture in regulatory actions involving atrazine and other triazine herbicides. Through the network, the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association and Western Tree Nut Association haves worked to ensure growers’ voices are heard throughout the regulatory process.  “For more than 30 years, farmers have been asking regulators to utilize sound science and consider how these decisions affect real operations,” Association President/CEO Roger A. Isom said. “Growers from across the country stepped up, helping ensure regulators had a complete picture of what atrazine means to American agriculture. That made all the difference.”   This last major regulatory hurdle stems from lawsuits and court orders requiring EPA to evaluate pesticide impacts on threatened and endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.  As part of that process, EPA requested a biological opinion from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  The Service ultimately concluded atrazine and simazine can continue to be used without jeopardizing protected species.  While this decision represents an important milestone, the work is not finished. Activist groups continue to use litigation and public-fear campaigns to challenge important crop-protection tools. The Triazine Network remains engaged to ensure future decisions involving atrazine and simazine are grounded in the best available science. Continued grower involvement will be critical as EPA works to finalize the reregistration process for this key crop protection tool.