The federal appeals court in San Francisco ordered the EPA to decide within 90 days — by mid-July — whether to ban agricultural use of the insecticide chlorpyrifos, already barred from residential use. Environmental groups have campaigned for years to take the organophosphate pesticide out of use in the United States.
“At oral argument, EPA represented that it could issue a final decision … within 90 days of an order issued by this court,” said the ruling by the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on Friday. “EPA is hereby ordered to issue, no later than 90 days after the filing of this order, a full and final decision.” Two years ago, shortly after taking office, the Trump administration denied a petition to ban chlorpyrifos, used on more than 50 crops, including corn, soybeans, and some fruits and vegetables, under the brand name Lorsban. Last August, a three-judge panel on the appeals court told the EPA to ban the insecticide. The agency asked for a rehearing by all the Ninth Circuit judges, which resulted in the new ruling.
“We commend the court for this ruling as it forces the EPA to stop stalling,” said attorney Patti Goldman of the law firm Earthjustice. “We hope Trump’s EPA finally decides to protect the future of countless children and the health of millions of farm workers.”
To read the circuit court ruling, click here.