Final guide to endangered species-safe insecticides released for farmers

LENEXA, Kan. (KCTV) - Conservationists have released a final guide to safe insecticides to use around endangered species for further harmonization of wildlife and agriculture.

Leaders with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7, have announced that the final Insecticide Strategy guide has been released, which identifies practical protections for federally endangered and threatened species from insecticide use.

“Today’s action is another example of how protecting our environment and safeguarding our economy can go hand in hand,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “We have found commonsense ways to keep endangered species safe that won’t place unneeded burden on the growers who rely on these tools for their livelihood, and which are necessary to ensure a safe and plentiful food supply. We are committed to ensuring the agriculture community has the tools they need to protect our country, especially our food supply, from pests and diseases.”

Conservationists noted that the Strategy identifies mitigations meant to protect more than 900 species listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The EPS considers this list when it registers a new insecticide or reevaluates one that already exists.

“American agriculture demonstrates that production and stewardship go hand in hand,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “Thank you to Administrator Zeldin for working towards unleashing regulatory burdens for American farmers & ranchers with the release of this final insecticide strategy today. This strategy provides much-needed improvements that will undoubtedly better protect U.S homegrown crops from pests and diseases. We look forward to continued partnership with EPA to ensure our growers continue to have the crop protection tools and flexibility needed to feed, fuel, and clothe our nation and the world.”

Earlier in 2025, Administrator Zeldin announced the Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative to advance the agency’s mission. Specifically, the new Strategy advances Pillar Three: “permitting reform, cooperative federalism and cross-agency partnership.”

“EPA’s numerous pragmatic improvements to the draft Insecticide Strategy have created a final strategy that can be better implemented by applicators while also protecting threatened and endangered species. We are grateful EPA has crafted this strategy by listening to, among others, constructive feedback from state agriculture departments, as they are the lead agency tasked with implementing and enforcing pesticide regulations in 43 states as well as the territory of Puerto Rico. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture is eager to continue to work with EPA to ensure state lead agencies have the resources and clarity to meaningfully enforce this strategy,” said National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney.

The EPA indicated that the final Strategy is the result of continued communication between the agency, federal partners and other stakeholders. It will continue to modify and update the document as more information becomes available.

“Farmers are dedicated to responsibly using pesticides, and frequent updates to the pesticide strategies are important to ensure the health and safety of America’s families. EPA understands there cannot be an effective conservation strategy as a nation without a meaningful partnership with farmers and ranchers. As we evaluate the final strategy in full, we urge EPA to continue to refine and improve upon the plan to enable farmers to grow healthy food for the nation while caring for, and improving, the natural resources they’ve been entrusted with,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall.

Additionally, Agency leaders said they anticipate continued engagement with stakeholders, including federal and state partners, to ensure the effective implementation of the Strategy.

“We look forward to reviewing EPA’s Insecticide Strategy and appreciate the Agency’s continued efforts to engage stakeholders on mitigations that support fresh produce growers’ ability to produce the healthy and nutritious food Americans require, while being protective of threatened and endangered species. We commit to working collaboratively with EPA to support this evolving effort and ensure that the strategy rewards grower innovations to reduce risk to species,” said International Fresh Produce Association Vice President for U.S. Government Relations Rebeckah Adcock.

Conservationists noted that the draft Strategy was released in 2024 with a 60-day public comment period. More than 26,000 comments were received, with 230 unique ideas. In response, the EPA made several changes to provide greater flexibility and options while ensuring the protection of endangered species. Some of those include:

• A reduction in the buffer distance across all application methods.
• A credit is provided for any reduction in the proportion of a treated field for ground applications.
• The development of a process to qualify conservation programs that will give growers more credit if they are part of that conservation program.
• An update to key data sources and identification of invertebrate species that may occur on agricultural fields.
• The addition of a Pesticide Use Limitation Area group for generalist species that reside in wetlands to reduce mitigations applied outside of wetland habitats.

To read the final Insecticide Strategy, click HERE.

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