The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice granting emergency exemptions for pesticide use under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) from July 1 to September 30, 2020. These exemptions were granted to state and federal agencies to manage unexpected pest outbreaks and include various types: specific, quarantine, public health, and crisis exemptions. The document details each exemption, listing the states involved, the specific pesticides allowed, their intended use, and the timeframe for each exemption's effectiveness. Additionally, a public health exemption was authorized for a pesticide in Texas to control the COVID-19 virus on certain surfaces.
Simple Explanation
The EPA gave special permission to use certain bug-killing chemicals to help stop surprise bug problems from July to September 2020. This was like giving a green light to use some powerful sprays to keep plants safe, including using one spray in Texas to help clean surfaces from the COVID-19 virus.