For Immediate Release: March 16, 2000

Contact: , American Bird Conservancy, 202/234-7181 ext. 207

EPA Decision Prevents Pesticide Threat to Birds

Successful campaign, led by the American Bird Conservancy, halts hazardous pesticide

An impending Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision to deny the cotton registration for chlorfenapyr forced American Cyanamid to withdraw their application early this week. The withdrawal comes after an intense year-long campaign led by the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) that brought numerous conservation groups, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, scientists, and the public together in opposition to the controversial pesticide. "An incredible array of organizations and people came together to halt - for the first time - a pesticide registration based solely on its threat to birds" said Kelley R. Tucker, Director of ABC's Pesticides and Birds Campaign. "Testing and close scientific evaluation by EPA and independent scientists clearly revealed the persistence of this pesticide and its chronic and reproductive risks to birds," she explained. 

Laboratory studies of chlorfenapyr showed declines in test birds of close to 50% in number of eggs laid, number of viable embryos, and number of normal hatchlings, leading EPA science staff to label chlorfenapyr as "one of the most reproductively toxic pesticides to avian species [the Division] has evaluated." It was also found to persist in soils for over a year, leading many to question its hidden, long-term effects on the environment.

Chlorfenapyr - developed and tested by American Cyanamid over almost a decade - was intended to assist cotton farmers in their struggle with the beet armyworm, a potentially devastating pest. But EPA has put forward several "reduced risk" chemical alternatives that appear to be just as effective. Because of the evidence suggesting danger to birds this registration has been closely monitored by regulatory agencies from other countries, especially Canada. "Use of this chemical in any country would pose an unacceptable risk to migratory birds throughout the hemisphere" according to Julia Langer, Director of World Wildlife Fund Canada's Wildlife Toxicology Program.

ABC was the first organization to respond to the EPA's request for comment on the chlorfenapyr registration. After an ABC action advisory publicized the opportunity, comment poured in to the Agency from birders, conservationists, toxicologists, doctors, wildlife professionals and numerous government and non-government organizations - including Defenders of Wildlife, National Audubon Society and World Wildlife Fund - in the U. S. and abroad. "The scientists at EPA accurately and effectively outlined the risks associated with chlorfenapyr, however, it was the scientifically accurate advocacy and outreach by American Bird Conservancy staff that led to this important result," stated Mary G. Henry, Branch Chief for Ecosystem Health at the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Environmental Contaminants Division. 

Because the chemical was withdrawn by the company prior to an EPA registration denial, the potential for future registration attempts remains. Ms. Tucker stated, "we will continue to evaluate and inform the public of future registrations that testing shows will harm birds in regular use."

ABC is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of wild birds throughout the Western Hemisphere.