FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2025, ARLINGTON, VA
CPDA Calls for Science-Based ESA Implementation and Pesticide Use Exemption if Monarch Listing Proceeds
ARLINGTON, VA –The Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology (CPDA) has submitted comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) regarding its proposed listing of the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), along with a proposed Section 4(d) rule and critical habitat designation.
CPDA strongly supports the use of the best available science and data in informing any final listing decision. However, should FWS determine that listing the monarch is warranted, CPDA urges the agency to adopt a Section 4(d) rule that allows for the continued use of pesticides consistent with EPA-approved labeling and the agency’s ESA Workplan and implementation strategies.
“Should the agency finalize a listing, it is essential that a 4(d) rule be adopted to preserve access to EPA-labeled pesticides and avoid duplicative or conflicting requirements,” said CPDA President and CEO Terry Kippley. “EPA’s regulatory process already includes robust species-specific risk assessments, and coordinated federal efforts are key to delivering both conservation and regulatory clarity.”
CPDA’s comments also highlight the importance of interagency alignment and recommend formal recognition of drift mitigation practices, including the use of Drift Reduction Adjuvants (DRAs), which significantly reduce the risk of off-target pesticide exposure.
CPDA remains committed to working with FWS, EPA, and other stakeholders to support science-driven conservation solutions that protect listed species while ensuring continued access to safe, effective crop protection tools.
About CPDA
The Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology (CPDA) based near Washington D.C. has been the voice and advocate for the adjuvant, inert and post-patent crop protection industry for almost 40 years.
Nearly 90% of U.S. distribution for the crop protection market and approximately 80% of the inert ingredients used in agricultural production in the U.S. are provided by CPDA members. The association members are a network of basic inert manufacturers, adjuvant formulators, distributors, retailers, US pesticide formulators, and generic crop protection registrants and manufactures who make their voices heard by working together. For more information, please visit www.cpda.com.
Media Contact
Cara Strazzo, cstrazzo@cpda.com
