National Sorghum Producers welcomed the announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today regarding the reregistration of the triazine herbicides: atrazine, propazine and simazine. In this long-awaited announcement, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler declared these vital crop protection tools safe for continued use in controlling resilient weeds.

“Atrazine is an immensely important crop management tool for sorghum farmers,” said NSP CEO Tim Lust. “NSP, in collaboration with the Triazine Network and other stakeholders, has been working with EPA for years to ensure farmers have access to these tools necessary for environmentally and economically sustainable crop production. ”

Atrazine is the most researched pesticide in history, and over 50 years of use lend itself to a proven safety record for the herbicide. This announcement concludes a periodic re-evaluation process the EPA is required to do for existing pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The next step for triazine herbicides is a draft biological evaluation required under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which is expected to be published in October.

“We know there is more to be done to ensure sorghum producers have access to safe and reliable products like atrazine,” Lust said. “NSP has always promoted high-quality, scientific studies regarding community health and environmental impacts, and we remain committed to working with the EPA through the ESA evaluation process to see that sound, scientific research is followed to protect these important crop protection tools.”

Atrazine has been a proven, dependable herbicide for more than 50 years, undergoing extensive review by the EPA over time. The final ESA assessment is expected to be released in 2021.