Carbofuran is an insecticide used on corn, alfalfa, potatoes and several other crops. The EPA wants to phase it out because of potential hazards to people and wildlife. (Photo by Rebecca Williams)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is taking steps to ban a pesticide
used on crops. The agency says the pesticide is toxic to wildlife. Rebecca
Williams reports the manufacturer might take the EPA to court:
Transcript
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is taking steps to ban a pesticide
used on crops. The agency says the pesticide is toxic to wildlife. Rebecca
Williams reports the manufacturer might take the EPA to court:
Carbofuran kills insects that damage crops. It’s used mostly on corn,
alfalfa and potatoes.
The EPA wants farmers in the U.S. to stop using the pesticide. The agency
says the pesticide kills wildlife – especially birds.
Michael Fry is with the American Bird Conservancy.
“If carbofuran is sprayed say on an alfalfa field and migratory birds like
ducks come in and feed on that alfalfa it’s expected that more than 90% of
the birds would die if they fed on that alfalfa field within a week of use
of carbofuran in the field.”
FMC Corporation makes most of the carbofuran used in the world. A manager
at the company says the EPA is overstating the risks to wildlife. And FMC
will fight any major restrictions placed on the chemical.
For the Environment Report, I’m Rebecca Williams.