Dear Friend,
I wish I was writing with better news.
You may remember that in 2021, after a decades-long legal fight, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the rule that banned all food uses of a toxic chemical called chlorpyrifos. It was a major victory because this pesticide can permanently damage the developing brains of children.
Heartbreakingly, the 8th Circuit Court ruled in favor of industry and overturned the rule.
It’s unconscionable that industry continues to try to use this chemical, subjecting children to learning disabilities. After two years under a chlorpyrifos ban, it’s clear this pesticide isn’t needed to grow crops.
With you by our side, we will fight this decision and we will win. The stakes are simply too high not to.
Chlorpyrifos is one of many in a class of chemicals known as organophosphates, which includes sarin nerve gas. Developed by the Nazis during World War II, organophosphates like chlorpyrifos were then repurposed for agricultural uses and are now used on a variety of crops, like corn, wheat, apples, citrus, broccoli, and dozens of other fruits and vegetables.
Earthjustice and our partners have spent decades working to ban these kinds of harmful chemicals and we aren’t going to stop now. The court told the EPA it must consider whether there are any safe food uses of chlorpyrifos — but an abundance of scientific evidence already shows there aren't. We'll reach out again soon to share ways you can encourage the EPA to do the right thing and reinstate the ban. In the meantime, know that with the support of people like you, we are working overtime to ban chlorpyrifos and ALL the other organophosphates from food.
Thank you for your partnership,
Patti Goldman
Senior Attorney
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