EPA Sued For Denying Review of Pesticide-Coated Seed Regulation

The US Environmental Protection Agency unlawfully exempts coated seeds from pesticide regulation requirements, the Center for Food Safety alleged in a federal lawsuit filed in California.

Center for Food Safety sued after the EPA denied its rulemaking petition urging the agency to close a regulatory loophole that allows seeds coated with neonicotinoid pesticides to evade the registration and labeling requirements of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

“Because coated seeds are ‘pesticides’ under FIFRA’s broad definition, EPA must properly review and approve these products before they can be sold or used in the United States,” the complaint, filed Wednesday ...