Federal Register #EPA-HQ-OPP-2025-0030

USDA ARS develops NovoFly SIT pest control; EPA cancels registrations for Syngenta and Amvac pesticides

This summary covers the USDA Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) development of a genetically engineered pest control solution and the EPA's regulatory cancellation of certain pesticide products: - Government Buyers: - United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - OEMs and Vendors: - Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC (Tilt Bravo SE) - Amvac Chemical Corporation (Image 1.5 LC Herbicide) - Products and Quantities: - NovoFly sterile male New World Screwworm flies (genetically engineered for SIT pest control) - Annual production capacity: 5.72 billion flies - Used for aerial or ground release over 25 to 40 million acres - Tilt Bravo SE (EPA Registration No. 1001192) - Contains Chlorothalonil (38.5%) and Propiconazole (2.9%) - Registration canceled by EPA - Image 1.5 LC Herbicide (EPA Registration No. 5481599) - Contains 3-Quinolinecarboxylic acid, monoammonium salt (17.3%) - Registration canceled by EPA - Unique or Notable Requirements: - NovoFly is a genetically engineered, sterile insect technique (SIT) product specifically targeting the New World Screwworm pest, with large-scale production and release capabilities - EPA's cancellation order allows for sale and use of existing stocks of the affected pesticides under specific conditions, impacting market availability - Locations: - George Washington Carver Center, Beltsville, MD (USDA ARS facility) - EPA Headquarters, Washington, DC

Description

This notice from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces the cancellation of certain pesticide product registrations as voluntarily requested by the registrants and accepted by the Agency under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The cancellation order follows a prior notice published on July 31, 2025, and the cancellations become effective March 27, 2026. The order includes provisions for the disposition of existing stocks, allowing registrants to sell and distribute existing stocks until March 29, 2027, and others to use existing stocks until exhausted, consistent with labeling.

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