EPA releases draft Biological Opinion of Methomyl: 82 species may be threatened

Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will make the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) draft biological opinion on Methomyl available for public comment. The draft, which covers a wide range of protected species, has sparked widespread concern in the agricultural and environmental communities.

Methomyl is a pesticide widely used in field vegetables and orchard crops. According to the EPA's 2021 biological assessment, the pesticide could adversely affect 1,098 Endangered Species Act listed species and 281 critical habitats. Based on this assessment, EPA initiated a formal consultation process with the relevant service agencies.

The FWS draft biological opinion states that Methomyl could endanger 82 listed species and adversely affect 34 designated critical habitats as currently registered. To address these potential risks, FWS has proposed a range of reasonable and prudent alternatives (RPAs) designed to mitigate impacts on endangered species and their habitats.

The EPA says the public has until September 9, 2024, to comment on the draft. At the end of the consultation period, EPA will provide the FWS with a summary of the comments received for reference when finalizing the biological opinion. The final biological opinion, which will be enforced by the EPA, could have a significant impact on the rules governing Methomyl use.