By Frank Giles and Clint Thompson
Fruit and vegetable growers who use chlorpyrifos are reminded that the insecticide can only be applied to food crops until June 30, after which continued use will be banned.
Grower Guidance
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers advise producers that the products that contain chlorpyrifos are “unlikely to be available for sale and finding alternatives to these products is advisable. Given the June 30, 2025, cutoff on some products, the dramatic reduction of uses and possible future changes, finding alternative pest control options for crops this season is advisable.”
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified 11 crops that it anticipates will be allowed chlorpyrifos use in the future, though with changes to use pattern and exposure mitigation measures. These crops include alfalfa, apple, asparagus, cherry (tart), citrus, cotton, peach, soybean, strawberry, sugar beet, and both spring and winter wheat.
It is important to note that the ban is very crop, product and state specific, so growers need to be diligent about use of the chemical. There are state limitations for these crops. For instance, in Florida, only citrus, cotton, peach and soybean will have tolerances and uses. Strawberry is not allowed.
Some product formulations with chlorpyrifos have been cancelled, but any product still in the user’s supply can be sprayed until June 30.
Legal Wrangling
The EPA initially banned the use of chlorpyrifos in food crops in 2021, but a court decision overturned the revocation. The pesticide had been a target by environmental groups, which they characterize as a “brain-damaging” chemical. Agricultural groups advocated for its continued use due to its importance in pest management and scientific evidence of its safety.
The initial final rule was issued in August 2021. EPA revoked all tolerances for chlorpyrifos, which established an amount of pesticide that is allowed on food. This action effectively stopped the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos on all food and animal feed. EPA took this action in response to an April 2021 order from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit for the agency to issue — within 60 days — a final rule addressing the use of chlorpyrifos in food or feed crops, without taking public comment or engaging in “further fact-finding.”
It was another example of EPA being forced into action based upon legal actions in the court. But the legal wrangling continued. That tolerance revocation rule was challenged by a chlorpyrifos registrant and several grower groups in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. On Nov. 2, 2023, the Eighth Circuit issued a ruling vacating EPA’s final rule and sending the issue of chlorpyrifos tolerances back to EPA for further proceedings. The ruling did not include a timeframe or specific instructions for EPA to take final action on the use of chlorpyrifos in food or feed crops without public comment.
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) were among the agriculture organizations that sued EPA, asserting the agency ignored scientific evidence that proved the pesticide’s safety.
“AFBF appreciates the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals for recognizing that the Environmental Protection Agency failed to follow the law when it revoked the use of chlorpyrifos,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall.
FFVA stated that the agriculture groups’ challenge was an effort to restore growers’ use of chlorpyrifos on the 11 crops that passed all EPA risk assessment requirements, including citrus. “In Florida, it is a critical tool for citrus producers in protecting the crop from a variety of harmful pests,” FFVA stated following the ruling.
Proposed Rule
In December 2024, EPA announced another proposed rule to ban all residue of chlorpyrifos on food crops, except for the 11 crops mentioned above. The proposed rule’s comment period closed on Feb. 10, 2025. EPA is currently evaluating submitted comments and expects an interim decision on the fate of the pesticide next year. The outcome of the current proposal will determine whether chlorpyrifos remains limited to the 11 uses or faces further restrictions.
“For alternative insecticide options to chlorpyrifos use, refer to the crop production guides or contact your local Extension office for more information,” UF/IFAS advised.