US EPA announces proposed registration of new pesticide florylpicoxamid

On January 16, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its proposed registration decision for three products containing the new active ingredient florylpicoxamid, a broad-spectrum fungicide that can be used on food crops and golf courses. Florylpicoxamid targets several fungi that cause damage and financial loss, including: Cercospora leaf spot of sugar beet, anthracnose diseases, Septoria leaf blight of barley and wheat and dollar spot on turf.

Florylpicoxamid is expected to be a useful addition to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, as it can be used in rotation with other fungicides to reduce potential resistance in crops and turf. IPM provides an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest control by focusing on prevention and using pesticides only as needed.

EPA is not aware of any information that indicates florylpicoxamid may impact the efficacy of a human or animal antibacterial or antifungal drug. EPA is currently consulting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine whether additional investigation is warranted as part of its new framework for these products.

EPA's Risk Assessments

In addition to its proposed registration decision, EPA has also released its human health risk assessment, ecological risk assessments and draft biological evaluation, with the latter including EPA’s Likely to Adversely Affect (LAA) determination for florylpicoxamid under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). An LAA determination means that EPA reasonably expects at least one listed plant or animal species may be exposed to the pesticide at a sufficient level to have an adverse effect. 

No human health risks of concern were identified when florylpicoxamid is used according to the proposed label. EPA has not identified any potential risks of concern for mammals, birds, terrestrial-phase amphibians, reptiles, aquatic plants or honeybees on an acute or chronic exposure basis when florylpicoxamid is used according to the proposed label. However, EPA identified potential risks for fish, aquatic-phase amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, other terrestrial invertebrates and terrestrial and semi-aquatic plants.

Proposed Mitigations

EPA is proposing the implementation of the following mitigation measures to address on- and off-field effects to non-target species, including listed species:

• Instructing users to access and follow any applicable endangered species bulletin from ″Bulletins Live! Two″ web-based system for all additional directions and restrictions. 

• Approved for use in the contiguous United States and Hawaii only. 

• For golf courses, use only on tees, greens and fairways. Do not use florylpicoxamid containing products on roughs.

With these proposed mitigation measures in place, EPA's draft biological evaluation predicts that the use of florylpicoxamid will not result in a likelihood of future jeopardy for the survival of any listed species, or a likelihood of adverse modification for any designated critical habitat.

Next Steps

After considering public comments on the proposed registration and the draft effects determinations, EPA will decide whether the registration action meets the standard for registration under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. If EPA determines that the registration action can be granted, EPA will finalize the biological evaluation. If a final biological evaluation finds that florylpicoxamid may affect any listed species or critical habitats, then EPA will initiate ESA consultation and share its findings with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service (collectively referred to as the Services), as appropriate.

During formal consultation, the Services use the information in EPA’s final biological evaluation to inform their biological opinions. While EPA has made predictions about the likelihood of jeopardy and adverse modification as part of its biological evaluation, the Services are responsible for making the final jeopardy/adverse modification findings and have the sole authority to do so. If the Services determine in their final biological opinions that additional mitigations are necessary to address any jeopardy or adverse modification determination or to address any incidental take, then EPA will work with the registrant to ensure that any necessary registration or labeling changes are made.

To read more about the proposed registration of florylpicoxamid and to comment, see docket ID EPA-HQ-OPP-2020-0449 at www.regulations.gov. The public comment period will be open for 30 days, closing on February 16, 2025.