Growers and other interested stakeholders have until Wednesday of this week to make comments to the Environmental Protection Agency on its review of the herbicide atrazine, which includes a recommendation that could result in a loss of this crop protection tool.

Atrazine is currently under EPA registration review, which is required for all pesticides every 15 years to update and modernize the science and risk assessments. As part of the draft ecological risk assessment, EPA has recommended reducing the aquatic life level of concern (LOC) from 10 parts per billion (ppb) on a 60-day average, to 3.4 ppb. Scientific evidence points to a safe aquatic life LOC at 25 ppb or greater. If this recommendation holds, it would result in a de facto ban on atrazine, according to the National Corn Growers Association.

“EPA needs to be reminded that atrazine has been around for 50 years, and more than 7,000 scientific studies have proven it is safe,” said NCGA Production and Stewardship Action Team Chairman Brent Hostetler. “All farmers should be concerned, because EPA is not basing their risk assessment of atrazine on sound science. That means all crop protection tools are at risk. I urge everyone to step up, and contact the EPA today.” He notes that a 2012 study showed that farming without atrazine could cost farmers up to $59 per acre, which could mean the difference between corn farmers making a profit or loss on their crop.

Agricultural Retailers Association Senior Vice President Richard Gupton says the conclusions drawn in the draft ecological risk assessments are based on “a number of scientific errors and flawed interpretations” which puts the future of some essential crop protection tools at stake. “It is important for our industry to weigh in with EPA to ensure they are following sound science and accurate data prior to making any final decisions,” said Gupton in a call to action for ARA members.

Both organizations have links on their websites to help growers and stakeholders make their comments before midnight on October 5.