The government is moving ahead to cancel the registrations for flubendiamide, a pesticide sold under the trade name Belt, with Bayer CropScience and Nichino America vowing to fight the decision, says Agri-Pulse.
The EPA asked the companies to voluntarily cancel the registrations for the pesticide, which is approved for use on more than 200 crops including soybeans, almonds, tobacco, peanuts and cotton. Some crops are sprayed up to six times with the pesticide, says the EPA.
The agency says the pesticide breaks down into highly toxic chemicals that are harmful to fish. The companies disagree. “Once a Federal Register notice is published announcing the intent to cancel, the registrations will be cancelled unless the companies ask for a hearing under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) within 30 days,” said Agri-Pulse.