As PMP reported Jan. 6, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a preliminary pollinator risk assessment for the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid.
What follows is a Jan. 20 statement from Ensystex, which manufactures imidacloprid for several of its products, on the topic:
Ensystex has and will continue to participate in the consortium of imidacloprid manufacturers supporting the ongoing evaluation of imidacloprid with regard to their effect on pollinators. To date, Ensystex alone has invested over $1 million in the testing required to maintain the uses of imidacloprid its pest management professional (PMP) customers have come to depend upon.
The recently released EPA preliminary assessment of imidacloprid is applicable to agricultural uses only. Assessments of uses that PMPs have come to depend upon, such as termite management, turf and ornamentals, will occur in 2016. We are optimistic that any further changes in use patterns for the use of imidacloprid in urban environments by PMPs will be limited with no anticipated major changes, particularly in its uses under and around structures.
By supporting Ensystex’s investment in imidacloprid with their business, PMPs are helping to make sure of the continued availability of imidacloprid in their arsenal of pest management actives for years to come.
About the Author
Heather Gooch is the editor-in-chief for PMP magazine. She can be reached at hgooch@northcoastmedia.net or 330-321-9754.
Glad to see someone responded to this. Everyone has been quite quiet in response to these releases. Hopefully we don’t see this become a ban soon.