EPA Revises Atrazine Safety Limits on Fruits and Veggies
Published Date: 12/11/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is updating rules about how much of certain pesticides, like atrazine, can safely stay on our food. Farmers, food makers, and pesticide companies should pay attention because these changes help keep food safe and protect the environment. Comments on these updates are open until February 9, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Big MCPA changes for forage, livestock, and hogs
For MCPA, EPA proposes new crop group tolerances of 500 ppm for "Grass, forage, fodder, and hay, group 17, forage" and 200 ppm for the same group's hay. EPA also proposes revoking tolerances for "Hog, fat", "Hog, meat", and "Hog, meat byproducts" with an expiration date of June 9, 2026, and proposes changes to livestock and grain tolerances (for example, milk from 0.1 ppm to 0.04 ppm and several cereal grains to 0.2 ppm).
EPA says food residues remain safe
EPA is proposing changes to many pesticide tolerances and says, based on its safety reviews, there is a "reasonable certainty that no harm will result" to the general population and to infants and children from the listed pesticide residues. The proposal covers multiple pesticides and is open for public comment until February 9, 2026.
Atrazine tolerance cut for sweet corn forage
For atrazine, EPA proposes lowering the tolerance for "Corn, sweet, forage" from 15 ppm to 1.5 ppm and would set the existing tolerance to expire 180 days after publication of the final rule. If you grow, process, or sell sweet corn forage, these new numbers change the residue level that is allowed on that commodity.
Harmonizing and lowering some tolerances
EPA proposes harmonizing U.S. tolerances with international Codex MRLs and OECD rounding, which includes lowering some tolerances such as diquat on banana and coffee from 0.05 ppm to 0.02 ppm, and lowering several pirimiphos-methyl livestock tolerances from 0.02 ppm to 0.01 ppm and corn/sorghum grain from 8 ppm to 7 ppm. Where tolerances are lowered, EPA would propose the existing tolerance expire 180 days after publication of the final rule.
New or revised tolerances for specific commodities
EPA proposes establishing or revising tolerances for specific commodities, for example diquat "Clover, seed" at 2 ppm; MCPB changing "Pea, dry, seed" to 0.03 ppm and "Pea, edible, podded" and "Pea, succulent, shelled" to 0.02 ppm; and setting diquat-related animal feed and herb/spice tolerances at 0.2 ppm and some vegetable tolerances at 0.02 ppm. Where EPA lowers an existing tolerance, it proposes the existing tolerance expire 180 days after the final rule's publication.
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
2026-13667, 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!
2026-12927, U.S. Ecology Nevada, Inc. High Mercury Subcategory Wastes Land Disposal Restrictions Variance
The EPA is giving U.S. Ecology Nevada a special green light to handle and dispose of high-mercury waste a bit differently than usual. This means mercury waste treated in Pennsylvania can now be safely sent to U.S. Ecology’s Nevada site for disposal under new rules starting July 27, 2026. This change helps protect people and the environment while keeping mercury waste management efficient and cost-effective.
2026-11047, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Hazardous Waste Combustors: Residual Risk and Technology Review
The EPA just updated rules for places that burn hazardous waste, like incinerators and boilers, to keep the air safe and clean. They confirmed current standards work well but added new limits on harmful gases like hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen cyanide. These changes start June 3, 2026, and include easier electronic reporting and some new rules for startup and shutdown times—helping protect health without big costs.
2026-10641, Hazardous and Solid Waste Management System: Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals From Electric Utilities; Federal CCR Permit Program; Reopening of Comment Period
The EPA is reopening the comment period until June 29, 2026, for its proposed rule to create a federal permit program for safely disposing of coal ash from power plants. This affects electric utilities that handle coal waste and aims to improve environmental safety while possibly impacting their costs. Now’s the time for everyone to share their thoughts and help shape the rules!
2026-10387, Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons: Reconsideration of Certain Regulatory Requirements Promulgated Under the Technology Transitions Provisions of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020
The EPA is updating rules to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), chemicals used in cooling systems like refrigerators and air conditioners. These changes affect businesses in refrigeration, supermarkets, semiconductor manufacturing, and more, allowing some older equipment made before 2025 to keep running. The new rules kick in on July 27, 2026, helping industries transition smoothly while cutting harmful emissions.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-22499, Establishment of Class E Airspace; Providence Seaside Hospital Heliport, Seaside, OR
The FAA is planning to create new Class E airspace around Providence Seaside Hospital Heliport in Seaside, Oregon, starting 700 feet above the ground. This change helps pilots safely use GPS-based flight paths for takeoffs and landings, making helicopter flights smoother and safer. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by January 26, 2026—no costs or fees involved!
Next: 2025-22530, Air Plan Approval; California; San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
The EPA is proposing to approve updates to air pollution rules in California’s San Joaquin Valley to help meet clean air goals for ozone pollution from 2008 and 2015. This affects local residents and businesses by aiming to improve air quality without new costs right now. You can share your thoughts by January 12, 2026, before the EPA makes a final decision.