By Andi Anderson
The U.S. crop inputs industry received some good news recently with two positive decisions: the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a ruling throwing out the EPA's ban on chlorpyrifos, and the Biden administration announced that it will allow exports of phosphate fertilizer to Morocco.
Chlorpyrifos ban overturned:
In early November, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a ruling throwing out the EPA's rule that essentially banned the use of chlorpyrifos. Agriculture groups had originally brought a lawsuit against the agency in February 2022 seeking to restore farmers' ability to use this tool to protect crops. The groups highlighted that, in EPA's own records, agency career scientists have found at least 11 high-benefit, low-risk agricultural uses of chlorpyrifos that can be maintained safely.
In its decision, the court agreed. It found that EPA had disregarded its own scientists' findings by ending numerous uses of chlorpyrifos they determined were safe, vacates the rule and restores agricultural uses of the tool.
Phosphate fertilizer exports to Morocco allowed:
The Biden administration announced that it will allow exports of phosphate fertilizer to Morocco. This decision is expected to help alleviate global fertilizer shortages and reduce fertilizer prices for farmers.
Impact on the crop inputs industry:
These two decisions are expected to have a positive impact on the U.S. crop inputs industry. The ability to use chlorpyrifos again will give farmers another tool to protect their crops from pests. The increased supply of phosphate fertilizer is expected to help lower fertilizer prices for farmers.
This is some good news for the U.S. crop inputs industry after a few months of negative news. These two decisions will help farmers protect their crops and reduce their input costs.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-eugenesergeev
Categories: Illinois, Crops