Statement by CropLife America Regarding Organophosphate Use in Agriculture

Apr 21, 2011

CropLife America (CLA) believes that there is value to epidemiological studies. It is important to remember the extensive regulatory process that ensures crop protection products are safe when used according to label. We encourage intensive review and scrutiny of crop protection products, and support regulatory decisions that are based on sound, replicable and verifiable data. Unfortunately the studies recently published in Environmental Health Perspectives leave many uncertainties due to unspecified definitions, decade-old data and presence of additional outlying factors.

Organophosphate insecticides, along with all crop protection products, are an important part of American agriculture and are vital tools for today’s modern farmers. The safety of consumers and growers alike is protected every step of the way, from initial product development to final use.

This begins with rigorous testing in the laboratory, where a potential new product must pass more than 120 health, safety and environmental tests before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will consider it for registration. The EPA also helps to create a final product label that growers are required to follow, dictating how often and how much of the product can be applied. Consumer safety is also considered as regulators establish appropriate residue levels, which are determined safe for adults and children alike.