CropLife America (CLA), the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA), and the Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology (CPDA) have released new educational tools to help farmers, agricultural retailers, and pesticide applicators understand and comply with pesticide labels that contain Endangered Species Act (ESA) language.
The resource suite includes an introductory ESA 101 presentation and a series of short instructional videos that help explain how to determine if any runoff and spray drift requirements need to be met, as well as how to use the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) online compliance tools — Bulletins Live! Two and the Pesticide App for Label Mitigations (PALM).
“Our industry is committed to protecting endangered species and the ecosystems we all rely on,” said Alexandra Dunn, President and CEO of CLA. “By offering clear and practical resources for pesticide label compliance, we are showing our continued support for farmers and applicators. They need to have access to weed, pest, and disease control technologies for maintaining productivity, responsibly and sustainably.”
Federal agencies have long debated how to evaluate the impacts of pesticide use on endangered species under both the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the ESA, leading to EPA’s ESA Workplan. As EPA begins phasing in label language, CLA, ARA, and CPDA have joined together to support awareness and practical compliance across the pesticide supply chain.
“Understanding how ESA provisions will change pesticide label requirements is essential for retailers and applicators,” said Daren Coppock, President and CEO of ARA. “Working together, we can help ensure that everyone in the chain understands the changes and how to comply with them. We appreciate EPA’s efforts to provide clarity while maintaining flexibility and compliance with the law.”
The instructional videos are moderated by Dr. Stanley Culpepper, a leading weed science specialist with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, are designed to help provide field-ready guidance that supports pesticide use while protecting endangered species and their habitats.
“Growers are committed to doing things the right way, and that includes protecting endangered species,” said Terry Kippley, President and CEO of CPDA. “By using Drift Reduction Adjuvants and taking advantage of these new resources, farmers can meet ESA requirements with confidence while maintaining productivity in the field.”
Educational Resources Included
The full resource series is available at: www.croplifeamerica.org/esa
ESA 101 Presentation: Foundation-level overview explaining how ESA requirements intersect with pesticide regulation and day-to-day application decisions.
Video Series: Four short videos demonstrating:
How ESA pesticide mitigations work.
How to determine location-specific restrictions using Bulletins Live! Two (BLT).
How to use PALM to evaluate and document runoff and spray drift mitigation practices.
Together, these resources provide growers, applicators, and registrants with practical tools for incorporating ESA requirements into application planning and recordkeeping. This effort reflects the organization’s shared commitment to stewardship, regulatory compliance, and sustainable agricultural practices.
