Chlorpyrifos: Six Decades On, The Pesticide's Enduring Comeback
Despite a U.S. tolerance cancellation in 2021, the 60-year-old pesticide chlorpyrifos has seen an unlikely resurgence. A successful challenge by grower groups and Gharda Chemicals led an Eighth Circuit Court to restore its use for 11 crops in 2023. Driven by cost-effective generic production, particularly from India, and the lack of a single broad-spectrum alternative, chlorpyrifos remains a vital and affordable tool for farmers globally, highlighting the power of science-based defense and resilient supply chains.
The article chronicles the remarkable reemergence of chlorpyrifos, a 60-year-old pesticide, amidst ongoing regulatory battles. Despite the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issuing a Proposed Interim Decision (PID) in 2020 that found 11 crop uses safe, the agency abruptly issued a tolerance cancellation order in 2021, immediately revoking the pesticide's use. This decision prompted swift legal action from Gharda Chemicals and 19 grower groups, leading to a pivotal November 2023 ruling by the Eighth Circuit Court that reversed the EPA's action and reinstated tolerances for the 11 uses.The article emphasizes that while major U.S. producers like Corteva Agriscience exited the market, import data reveals continued strong demand. This demand is largely met by generic manufacturers, predominantly from India and China, who pioneered more cost-effective and safer production methods after the patent expired in 2001. This innovation significantly reduced prices, making chlorpyrifos accessible to smallholder farmers worldwide.Experts note that no single pesticide can fully replace chlorpyrifos's broad spectrum of action, often requiring complex Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. Furthermore, the emergence of resistance to newer chemistries has inadvertently given chlorpyrifos a renewed role. The article concludes that the pesticide's persistence is a testament to its proven efficacy, affordability, and the unwavering advocacy of growers and generic producers who champion science-backed products against regulatory pressures, securing its place in global agriculture.
