US to restrict more pesticides to protect fish

The US EPA has determined use restrictions for a second batch of pesticides following consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) over their risks to endangered salmon in four states. The EPA’s planned restrictions for the carbamate insecticides, carbaryl, carbofuran and methomyl, follow a biological opinion (BiOp) from the NMFS in April 2009 ( Agrow No 566, p 18). It was issued as part of a legal settlement with environmentalists and fishing groups. The NMFS must issue BiOps on 37 pesticides by February 29th 2012.