The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final cancellation order for the use of chlorpyrifos on asparagus, following a request by Gharda Chemicals International, Inc. The cancellation is effective from January 3, 2025, meaning the sale and distribution of existing stocks are allowed until April 30, 2025, and food use until June 30, 2025. The EPA received two comments on this action, one supporting the cancellation and another expressing concern about health risks posed by leftover stock. The EPA found these concerns did not conflict with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) due to limited existing stocks and time for use.
Simple Explanation
The EPA decided that a chemical called chlorpyrifos can no longer be used on asparagus plants starting from January 2025, but people can still use up the leftover chemicals until mid-2025.