America bans bird-killing insecticide

So lethal a single granule can kill a songbird
August 2010: America's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Bayer CropScience have decided to halt the production of the insecticide aldicarb by 2014 in a move that has delighted leading bird conservation organisation the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and other environmental groups today.

Some of its most dangerous applications are to be phased out immediately, while all uses will be ended by 2018.

DEADLY: Aldicarb is toxic enough to kill large birds such as the bald eagle

ABC has been voicing grave concerns to the EPA over the use of aldicarb since 2005, and as a result use had already been heavily restricted - but the decision to end the use of the pesticide completely is clearly welcome.

‘While that earlier decision regarding restrictions for aldicarb was certainly a step in the right direction, we felt at the time that an outright ban was called for. The decision to implement a phased cancellation, will better safeguard birds and other wildlife as well as drinking water and the health of people in rural America,' said Dr Michael Fry, Director of Conservation Advocacy for ABC.

Birds mistake it for grit or grain
Aldicarb is one of the most toxic insecticides on the market. Applied to the ground as tiny granules, aldicarb can be mistaken by birds for grain or grit. It is so toxic that a single granule is lethal if eaten by a songbird.

Since 1986, the Avian Incident Monitoring System has documented numerous bird kills from aldicarb, including Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles.

Under federal regulations, each registered pesticide must undergo a technical review every 15 years to be eligible for continued registration. With this EPA decision, the highest risk uses will be terminated first, and lower aldicarb application rates will be implemented for continuing uses.

To address the most significant risks to human health, producer Bayer has agreed first to end aldicarb use on citrus and potatoes, and will adopt risk-mitigation measures for other uses to protect groundwater resources.

Bayer will voluntarily phase out production of aldicarb by December 31, 2014. All remaining uses will end no later than August 2018.

During the phase-out, the pesticide will continue to be registered for use on cotton, dry beans, peanuts, soybeans, sugar beets, and sweet potatoes.