Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
NewsRegulatory

EPA Releases Endangered Species Analyses and Draft Determinations for Neonicotinoid Pesticides

bees
September 1, 2021

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released new nationwide endangered species analyses and draft determinations for neonicotinoid pesticides, a class of systemic pesticides that can harm bees and ubiquitous seed coatings. EPA did not complete the review of its own volition, but rather because of a settlement won by Center for Food Safety (CFS) in litigation, which required that a dozen products be canceled as well as Endangered Species Act (ESA) determinations be made by court-ordered deadlines.

Under the settlement, EPA must finalized its draft ESA conclusions by June 2022. EPA will be accepting public comments on the drafts until October 26, 2021.

"Today's evaluations confirm what scientists have told EPA and industry for over a decade: These extremely toxic pesticides are causing drastic ecological harm, both [in terms of] the collapse of bee populations as well as putting literally hundreds of endangered species at extinction risk across the country," said George Kimbrell, legal director of Center for Food Safety. "The Biden administration needs to complete its process with all due speed in order to start protecting these iconic species."

EPA found dangerous levels of harm to endangered species from the three neonicotinoid pesticides it examined. For thiamethoxam, EPA concluded that of all 1821 endangered species nationwide, 88 percent of them (1600) might be affected, and 77 percent of them (1396) were "likely to be adversely affected." This included making "likely to adversely affect" (the highest level of harm finding possible at this stage) for 71 of 108 endangered birds, 177 of 194 protected fish, and 135 of 161 of endangered insects.

For the other two major neonicotinoids it examined, EPA made similar draft conclusions. For imidacloprid, it found "may affect" for 89 percent of all species (1612 of 1821) and "likely to adversely affect" for 79 percent (1445 of 1821); for clothianidin, it found "may affect" for 86 percent of all endangered species (1562 of 1821) and "likely to adversely affect" for 67 percent (1224 of 1821).

For the 791 protected species with designated critical habitats, EPA determined their habitats separately are likely to be adversely modified by imadicloprid for 88 percent of those species, by thiamethoxam for 83 percent of species, and by clothianidin for 53 percent of species.

KEYWORDS: Center for Food Safety EPA EPA regulations

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Microbiological
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Sanitation
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    Best Practices
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • mold
    Sponsored byIFC

    Tackling Mold Remediation in Food Processing Plants

  • a worker in a food processing plant
    Sponsored byLPS® DETEX®

    How a Beverage Facility Improved Food Safety and Compliance with Detectable Packaging Solutions

  • Two men standing in a produce storage facility having a discussion.
    Sponsored byOrkin Commercial

    Staying Compliant With FSMA

Popular Stories

sunflower oil

Louisiana Passes ‘MAHA’ Bill Targeting More Than 40 Ingredients, Including Seed Oils, Dyes, Sweeteners

smoked salmon in oil

Study Shows Food Type Significantly Affects Listeria’s Ability to Survive Digestion, Cause Sickness

Justin Ransom and Denise Eblen

USDA-FSIS Announces Dr. Justin Ransom as New Administrator

Events

July 15, 2025

Hygienic Design Risk Management: Industry Challenges and Global Insights

Live: July 15, 2025 at 11:00 am EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn the importance of hygienic design to ensure food safety and sanitation effectiveness.

July 22, 2025

Beyond the Binder: Digital Management of Food Safety

Live: July 22, 2025 at 3:00 pm EDT: During this webinar, attendees will learn best practices for the use of digital food safety management systems across industry and regulatory agencies.

August 7, 2025

Achieve Active Managerial Control of Major Risk Factors Using a Food Safety Management System

Live: August 7, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn about changes to the FDA Food Code, which now includes a requirement for FSMS. 

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • farmer wearing black gloves spraying herbicide on crops

    Center for Food Safety Petitions EPA to Ban PFAS in Pesticides, Pesticide Containers

    See More
  • FDA logo

    FDA Releases New Dashboard for Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods Program

    See More
  • woman drinking glass of water

    EPA Releases First Dataset for Three-Year Project Monitoring PFAS, Lithium in U.S. Drinking Water

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 1118396308.jpg

    High Throughput Analysis for Food Safety

  • 1119160553.jpg

    Food Safety: Innovative Analytical Tools for Safety Assessment

  • 1119053595.jpg

    Food Safety for the 21st Century: Managing HACCP and Food Safety throughout the Global Supply Chain, 2E

See More Products

Related Directories

  • International Association For Food Protection-IAFP

  • Emport LLC

    Strategic Solutions for Food Safety: Emport LLC offers easy, accurate test kits for detecting and quantifying gluten and allergens, identifying meat species, measuring oil quality, and confirming general environmental cleanliness. Let our friendly, knowledgeable team help you keep your products and brand reputation safe.
  • CBC Coating Inc.

    CBC is a privately held contract coater treating every customer confidentially. Our process is specifically designed for your success. Please call for a brief exploratory call to determine how we may be of service.
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing