The United States Insecticides Marketing Leader Phil Jost, along with Dow AgroSciences, recently released letters regarding the sale of two of their agrochemicals, Chlorpyrifos (CHP) and Sulfoxaflor, and the products containing this chemistry. Two of those products, Transform^R and Lorsban^R are the only products that currently work to control soybean aphids.

CHP is the active ingredient in Lorsban^R and other products.  Recently, four events have focused on CHP:

1. October 2015- EPA issued a proposal to revoke CHP tolerances
2. January 2016- California Department of Pesticide Regulations released a Human Health Assessment for CHP
3. April 6, 2016- EPA posted for comment a draft of the Endangered Species Assessment for CHP, malathion and diazinon
4. April 19, 2016- EPA convened a Scientific Advisory Panel concerning CHP

These actions may affect future purchase and use of CHP containing products.  However, Dow is confident CHP products will continue to be utilized and sold under the existing labels and tolerances through at least 2017.

Sulfoxaflor is the active ingredient in Transform^R, a new beneficial insect friendly, aphid insecticide for soybeans.  On Nov. 12, 2015, EPA canceled the registrations of sulfoxaflor-containing products as required in a Sept. 10, 2015 decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, despite the EPA’s completion of the full standard registration process of these products. EPA allowed continued use of existing stocks of the products already in the hands of end users (growers), provided that users comply with the terms of the pre-existing label.

Minnesota, along with many other states, are investigating a Section 18 Emergency Exemption for the use of Transform^R on soybeans and other crops. Recently, an exemption was obtained in Texas for use to control sugarcane aphids in sorghum on April 8, 2016. In addition, EPA will post Dow’s new label registration for a 30-day public comment period in the near future.

Chlorpyrifos Regulatory Update Letter

Sulfoxaflor Regulatory Update Letter

Minnesota Soybean continues to work with Dow AgroSciences to address EPA requests. Additional information will be given on these, and other topics, as it becomes available. For additional information, contact Minnesota Soybean Director of Research David Kee at 507-388-1635 or david@mnsoybean.com and/or your local Dow representative.