Farmers petition to tweak pesticide limits on crops
Published Date: 4/7/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA just announced new requests to change rules about pesticide leftovers on food. Farmers, food makers, and shoppers should pay attention because these changes could affect what’s allowed on fruits, veggies, and other crops. You’ve got until May 7, 2025, to share your thoughts before any decisions are made—no extra costs yet, just a heads-up and a chance to speak up!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Requested edits to saflufenacil commodity definitions
BASF Corporation asked EPA to amend commodity definitions for residues of the herbicide saflufenacil (including metabolites and degradates) and to keep the tolerance at 0.1 parts per million (ppm) for the listed commodities. The request covers multiple items in the 'Grain, cereal, forage, hay, stover, and straw group 16' entries and a change to the 'Vegetable, foliage of legume, group 7' entry.
Petition to exempt Bt PIP in specific corn varieties
Syngenta Seeds requested that EPA establish an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for the plant-incorporated protectant Bacillus thuringiensis eCry1Gb.1Ig protein and the genetic material (vector pSYN24795) in MZIR260 corn varieties: corn, field; corn, sweet; and corn, pop. The petitioner states this would be an exemption without a numerical limit and believes no analytical method is needed.
EPA may change final tolerances or commodity names
EPA states that when it evaluates petitions it may establish a final tolerance or tolerance exemption that differs from what the petitioner requested. EPA may, for example, vary commodity names for consistency, vary tolerance levels, or require tolerances for related commodities (for example, adding a tolerance for sugar beet tops when a tolerance is requested for sugar beet root).
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-19071, Partial Repeal of the Carbon Pollution Standards for Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units
The EPA is rolling back most of the 2024 rules that limited carbon pollution from fossil fuel power plants. This change affects coal and gas plants by easing some strict limits on emissions and carbon capture technology. The new rules kick in on November 16, 2026, potentially saving money for power plants but raising questions about pollution control.
2026-19072, Rescission of the Greenhouse Gas Findings for Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants and Repeal of Regulations for Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Emissions Under Clean Air Act Section 111
The EPA is proposing to cancel all greenhouse gas rules for fossil fuel power plants, saying the law doesn’t let them regulate these emissions for climate reasons. This change affects power plants across the U.S. and could impact future pollution limits and costs. Comments on this proposal are open until November 2, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up!
2026-18317, Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States”
The purpose of this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking is for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army ("the agencies") to supplement and seek additional comment on certain aspects of an earlier proposal, published on November 20, 2025, to revise the regulations defining the scope of waters federally covered under the Clean Water Act in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. As stated in the agencies' November 20, 2025 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the agencies intend for this rulemaking to provide greater regulatory certainty and increase Clean Water Act program predictability and consistency by clarifying the definition of "waters of the United States." After consideration of the public comments received on the NPRM, the agencies are issuing this notice to supplement the NPRM with additional regulatory options on certain aspects of the proposed rule.
2026-14112, Amendments and Nonconformance Penalties for Model Year 2027 and Later Heavy-Duty Highway Engines and Amendments to Inducement Provisions for SCR-Equipped Diesel Engines
Starting with model year 2027, the EPA is updating rules for big truck engines to make sure they last longer and pollute less. They’re also letting engine makers pay penalties if their engines don’t meet standards, and tightening rules for special pollution-control systems on diesel engines. These changes affect truck and engine makers and kick in soon, with public feedback due by August 29, 2026.
2026-13667, Minor New Source Review Program Air Permitting Public Participation Requirements for State Implementation Plans
The EPA wants to give states more freedom to decide how much public input is needed when approving small air pollution sources or changes. This means local air agencies can tailor public participation to fit their community’s needs while still protecting air quality. If you’re involved in air permits, watch for comment deadlines and possible virtual hearings this summer!
2026-13263, Revisions To Establish the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) for Public Water Systems
The EPA is rolling out the sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) to check for new, sneaky chemicals in public drinking water. Big water systems serving 3,300+ people and some smaller ones will test for 30 different contaminants, including certain PFAS and pesticides, to keep our water safe. Comments and feedback are open until late August 2026, and the EPA will host fun online meetings to chat about the plan!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-05910, Air Plan Approval; Connecticut; 2017 Base Year Emissions Inventory for the 2015 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards
The EPA is proposing to approve Connecticut’s plan that updates pollution data from 2017 to help meet cleaner air goals for ozone pollution. This affects people living in Greater Connecticut and nearby areas struggling with ozone smog. Comments on this plan are open until May 7, 2025, and the update helps guide future pollution controls without immediate costs.
Next: 2025-05920, Alcohol Facts Statements in the Labeling of Wines, Distilled Spirits, and Malt Beverages; and Major Food Allergen Labeling for Wines, Distilled Spirits, and Malt Beverages; Comment Period Extension
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is giving everyone more time—120 extra days—to share their thoughts on new label rules for wines, spirits, and beers. These rules would add an "Alcohol Facts" section showing alcohol, calories, and nutrients per serving, plus list major food allergens. If you’re a producer or just curious, mark your calendar: comments are now due by August 15, 2025, with no immediate cost changes yet.