May 5, 2025 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued the final version of its “Insecticide Strategy,” part of an ongoing initiative to bring the agency in compliance with the Endangered Species Act and avoid litigation.
The EPA has already completed a strategy on herbicides. These strategies, with others to follow, are intended to protect listed species under the law, while communicating clearly with farmers and other users of these chemicals on how and where they can be applied.
The EPA said it received more than 26,000 public comments and more than 230 unique comments to address, following the release of a draft in July 2024. It adjusted the draft “to provide greater flexibility and options for the agricultural community, while ensuring that endangered species are protected.”
The strategy includes guidance on buffer distances for insecticide applications, a process for crediting growers who use conservation programs, and an interactive map that allows people to look up specific chemicals and their restrictions in specific areas. It also includes a three-step framework for reviewing insecticides and developing prohibitions for their use to protect endangered and threatened species.
“Today’s action is another example of how protecting our environment and safeguarding our economy can go hand in hand,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a statement about the release. “We have found common-sense ways to keep endangered species safe that won’t place unneeded burden on the growers who rely on these tools for their livelihood, and which are necessary to ensure a safe and plentiful food supply. We are committed to ensuring the agriculture community has the tools they need to protect our country, especially our food supply, from pests and diseases.”
The EPA’s strategies are provided to help steer the agency toward more compliance with the Endangered Species Act. They take into account comments from conservation groups, agricultural industry, and others. But they are not set in stone.
