EPA Interpretation of Pesticide Seed Loophole Upheld in Court

The Environmental Protection Agency’s interpretation of an ambiguous loophole in pesticide regulations for coated seeds was upheld by a federal court.

The EPA has consistently interpreted an exception to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act for over 20 years, and the agency’s denial of groups’ rule review petition considered all the needed evidence, the US District Court for the Northern District of California said Wednesday.

However, Judge Susan Illston said the court “shares frustration at the pace of the EPA’s registration review” of neonicotinoid as the pesticide’s use has skyrocketed since the its ingredients were first registered over two ...