The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said it is unlikely to approve new outdoor neonicotinoid pesticide uses due to concerns over the chemicals' effects on bee populations. 

The EPA said that as part of its ongoing effort to protect pollinators, it had sent letters to registrants of neonicotinoid pesticides with outdoor uses informing them it would likely not be in a position to approve most applications for new uses of these chemicals until new bee data have been submitted and pollinator risk assessments are complete.

The letters reiterate that the EPA has required new bee safety studies for its ongoing registration review process for the neonicotinoid pesticides, and that the organization must complete its new pollinator risk assessments.

The chemicals in question are imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and dinotefuran.

Affected neonicotinoid actions include new uses (including crop group expansion requests), addition of new use patterns like aerial application, experimental use permits, and new special local needs registrations.

The EPA said it was an 'interim position', but if a 'significant new pest issue' should arise that may be uniquely addressed by one of these chemicals, it was prepared to consider whether an emergency use might be appropriate.

Due to the localized nature of many emergency pest management programs, it may be possible to develop mitigation or adjust the use pattern in a manner that would minimize exposure to bees.

In the event that an emergency use is requested, the EPA plans to assess such requests by relying on available information and risk mitigation strategies.

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