By Brett Bultemeier, Mike Aerts and Lauren Diepenbrock
On Dec. 28, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit revoked a previous decision related to chlorpyrifos tolerances for food. Chlorpyrifos is a broad-spectrum insecticide used in a variety of crops, including citrus.
The original decision revoked all food tolerances, whereas this new ruling essentially reinstates them. This means that, for now, chlorpyrifos products can be used according to their labels on approved sites. Always be sure to read and follow all label instructions.
Continue to check labels and stay tuned as more updates are likely to come, and labels will be altered. In the future, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to reduce the registration and approved tolerances, leaving only 11 crops. These crops are alfalfa, apple, asparagus, cherry (tart), citrus, cotton, peach, soybean, strawberry*, sugar beet and wheat (spring and winter).
There are likely to be additional regional/local restrictions, amendments and use instructions down the road, so always be sure to read the label.
For more information about the ruling and the EPA’s comments, see the update here.
Brett Bultemeier is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension (UF/IFAS) assistant professor in Gainesville. Mike Aerts is vice president of science and regulatory affairs for the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association. Lauren Diepenbrock is a UF/IFAS assistant professor at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred.
*Not for use on strawberries in Florida.
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