By Jamie Martin
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a draft Fungicide Strategy and is asking the public to share feedback before it is finalized. The strategy explains how the agency plans to evaluate agricultural fungicides while protecting federally listed endangered species.
The draft outlines a three‑step process. It begins by identifying potential risks to wildlife and plant populations. Next, it reviews mitigation measures that could help reduce those risks. Finally, it determines where these protections should apply. This framework will guide future fungicide registration and review decisions.
The strategy looks at many environmental factors, including where species live, their food needs, and how fungicides may travel through the environment. It also considers possible impacts on organisms that are not intended targets of these products. Importantly, the draft does not introduce new requirements but will inform future actions that include public input.
Flexibility and cooperation are central to the proposal. The EPA highlights its work with federal, state, and Tribal partners to design protections that can be tailored to local conditions. Updated options to reduce spray drift are also included, such as expanded use of spray drift adjuvants and the addition of guar gum as a mitigation option.
The draft Fungicide Strategy builds earlier herbicide and insecticide strategies and uses feedback from those processes to improve clarity and usability. According to the EPA, the updated approach aims to support growers while maintaining strong environmental protections.
Public comments will be accepted for 60 days, ending on June 29, 2026. A public webinar is scheduled for May 20, 2026, to explain the strategy and answer questions. The EPA plans to complete the final strategy by November 2026. Click on the link to register.
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Categories: National