American Bird Conservancy Statement on EPA Risk Assessments for Neonicotinoid Pesticides

 

 

(Washington, D.C., January 13, 2017) While American Bird Conservancy is pleased that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/epa-releases-four-neonicotinoid-risk-assessments-public-comment" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/epa-releases-four-neonicotinoid-risk-assessments-public-comment&source=gmail&ust=1484781997616000&usg=AFQjCNHOpdzWxCf8cM1PUJa2QgZZoOqrdg">released its preliminary risk assessments for four neonicotinoids—imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and dinotefuran—we are very disappointed that EPA has again pushed back any plans for reviewing the threat of these pesticides to birds. As a 2013 ABC https://abcbirds.org/article/birds-bees-and-aquatic-life-threatened-by-gross-underestimate-of-toxicity-of-worlds-most-widely-used-pesticide-2/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://abcbirds.org/article/birds-bees-and-aquatic-life-threatened-by-gross-underestimate-of-toxicity-of-worlds-most-widely-used-pesticide-2/&source=gmail&ust=1484781997616000&usg=AFQjCNHAhSRKsnZGDyGHbF3ZUGX2BpZfBw">report concluded, a single seed coated with a neonic is enough to kill a songbird.

 

The new EPA risk assessments make only peripheral mention of such neonic-coated seeds, which are used on over 100 million acres of cropland. And while the agency emphasizes that it is adjusting timelines in order to synchronize its neonic risk assessments, it has still not addressed the need for a cumulative risk assessment of these pesticides—in spite of the fact that ABC's 2015 Congressional cafeteria http://3pktan2l5dp043gw5f49lvhc-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Congressional_Dining_Hall_Report_July_2015.pdf" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://3pktan2l5dp043gw5f49lvhc-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Congressional_Dining_Hall_Report_July_2015.pdf&source=gmail&ust=1484781997616000&usg=AFQjCNGJ7oatJ4XH--DOQibx98_uMXwPrQ">studyfound as many as five different neonics concurrently on single foods. It is worth noting that EPA's aquatic risk assessment for the neonic imidacloprid acknowledges many of the same high exposures and elevated risks found by Canada and Europe, both of which have robust plans to phase out these dangerous pesticides.

EPA is opening a 60-day comment period on its risk assessments for imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and dinotefuran. (See detailed review schedules https://www.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/schedule-review-neonicotinoid-pesticides" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/schedule-review-neonicotinoid-pesticides&source=gmail&ust=1484781997617000&usg=AFQjCNHGEfFxMuWKuiohZTz4ehbNyi-_fA">here.) ABC will be reviewing the assessments closely and submitting further comments.
https://abcbirds.org/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://abcbirds.org/&source=gmail&ust=1484781997617000&usg=AFQjCNE3tbq1KQ45g7Euq5ikdPhP-eJMcg">American Bird Conservancy is the Western Hemisphere's bird conservation specialist—the only organization with a single and steadfast commitment to achieving conservation results for native birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. With a focus on efficiency and working in partnership, we take on the toughest problems facing birds today, innovating and building on sound science to halt extinctions, protect habitats, eliminate threats, and build capacity for bird conservation.