The EPA Advances Re-Registration Of Atrazine

While corn farmers were incensed by EPA’s decision to not change how they will account for gallons of ethanol lost to small refinery exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard, they still had reason to cheer for another of the agency’s decisions. EPA also announced Thursday that it would advance the re-registration of Atrazine, a widely used herbicide. Missouri Corn CEO Gary Marshall, who serves as chairman of the Triazine Network, calls Atrazine “tremendously important” to farmers, noting its cost-effectiveness at combating broadleaf weeds. Amid concerns about the herbicide’s impact on human health, EPA is proposing a reduction to the maximum application rate for residential lawns and mandatory spray drift control measures. Also on Thursday, EPA also approved ten pesticides for use on hemp crops during the 2020 growing season.