By Julie Tomascik
Associate Editor
Corn, sorghum and sugarcane farmers could see decreased weed management options if the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) draft ecological risk assessment moves forward.
Atrazine, propazine and simazine are currently under review by the agency.
“EPA reviews each registered pesticide every 15 years to determine if it still meets the requirements for registration according to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act,” Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Associate Director of Commodity and Regulatory Activities Brant Wilbourn said. “EPA recently released the ecological draft risk assessments on atrazine, simazine and propazine.”
Atrazine is the second most commonly applied herbicide in the U.S., according to AgWeb.
The inability to use the herbicide could increase farmers’ costs up to $59 per acre, a University of Chicago economic analysis shows.
“In a time of low farm income, this could be another staggering blow to farmers,” Wilbourn said. “Taking away an effective tool that helps farmers grow crops and combat weeds isn’t going to help farmer morale or income. It would add another problem.”
The reduced availability of atrazine may also make it more difficult for farmers who use conservation tillage practices.
EPA said the chemical was putting aquatic life at risk, particularly in areas where atrazine is most heavily used.
“This means that the amount of atrazine that can be applied will be significantly reduced, effectively banning atrazine use,” he said.
Many agricultural groups, including TFB, have concerns about the science EPA used to arrive at their conclusion. Wilbourn noted the risk assessment includes studies that were previously deemed scientifically invalid by multiple separate Scientific Advisory Panels.
And alternatives are slim.
Farm Bureau members are encouraged to voice their concerns with the federal agency at http://bit.ly/atrazinecomments before Oct. 4.
“The importance of the herbicide to farms, how it helps control weeds, increase crop yields and helps increase productivity or save money are all factors that need to be addressed in the comments,” he said.