WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. EPA has released an analysis of the benefits of neonicotinoid seed treatments for insect control in soybeans.

Neonicotinoid pesticides are a class of insecticides widely used that the EPA is reviewing with particular emphasis for their impact on pollinators, such as bees. Neonicotinoid treatments include imadacloprid, thiamethoxam and clothianidin, according to University of Illinois crop sciences professor Mike Gray.

“Although clothianidin is registered for use as a soybean treatment, the authors of the report considered its use ‘minor’ as compared with the other two neonicotinoids,” Gray explained.

The analysis concluded there is little or no increase in soybean yields using most neonicotinoid seed treatments, when compared to using no pest control at all. A Federal Register notice inviting the public to comment on the analysis will publish in the near future.

“We have made the review of neonicotinoid pesticides a high priority,” said Jim Jones, assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “In our analysis of the economic benefits of this use we concluded that, on a national scale, U.S. soybean farmers see little or no benefit from neonicotinoid seed treatments.”

“The bottom line of the EPA analysis is that although there are a few uncommon pest situations where seed treatments can benefit a grower, the vast majority of soybean producers in the United States have very little chance of recouping the extra cost associated with neonicotinoid seed treatments on soybeans,” said Christian Krupke, associate professor and field crop entomologist at Purdue University.

During its review of the neonicotinoids, EPA found that many scientific publications claim treating soybean seeds has little value. Part of the EPA’s assessment examined the effectiveness of these seed treatments for pest control and estimated the impacts on crop yields and quality, as well as financial losses and gains.

The law requires EPA to consider the benefits of using pesticides as well as the risks. The analysis concluded:

•There is no increase in soybean yield using most neonicotinoid seed treatments when compared to using no pest control at all

•Alternative insecticides applied as sprays are available and effective

•All major alternatives are comparable in cost

•Neonicotinoid seed treatment could provide an insurance benefit against sporadic and unpredictable insect pests, but this potential benefit is not likely to be large or widespread throughout the United States

“The authors of this EPA report acknowledge that the use of neonicotinoids within soybeans is largely prophylactic – an insurance-based form of pest management,” Gray said. “In their analysis, they estimate that insecticidal treatments cost on average approximately $7.50 per hour.

“They also point out that foliar insecticides, labeled for use in soybeans, generally cost less than $7 per acre.”

While the report did not specifically address the effect of seed treatments on pollinators, Krupke said his research has not found neonicotinoids in the pollen of soybeans. “That is not the case for other seed-treated plants, like canola and corn,” he added.

This analysis is an important part of the science the EPA will use to move forward with the assessment of the risks and benefits under registration review for the neonicotinoid pesticides. Registration review – the periodic reevaluation of pesticides to determine if they continue to meet the safety standard – can result in the EPA discontinuing certain uses, placing limits on the pesticide registration and requiring other label changes.

“It will be interesting to see if the U.S. EPA considers a similar analysis for those insecticidal seed treatments in corn production systems,” Gray said.