EPA OKs More Pesticide in Sugarcane for Emergencies
Published Date: 12/19/2025
Rule
Summary
The EPA is allowing a special, temporary use of the pesticide flupyradifurone on sugarcane to help farmers during an emergency. This rule sets safe limits for pesticide residues on sugarcane and molasses, effective now through December 31, 2028. Farmers, food makers, and pesticide companies should take note, and any objections must be filed by February 17, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Time-limited residue limits set
The EPA set legal residue limits for flupyradifurone on sugarcane: 3 parts per million (ppm) for sugarcane, cane and 90 ppm for sugarcane, molasses. These time-limited tolerances are effective December 19, 2025 and expire December 31, 2028.
Emergency use approved for Louisiana
EPA concurred with a crisis exemption allowing flupyradifurone use on sugarcane in Louisiana to control West Indian canefly, sugarcane aphid, and yellow sugarcane aphid. The exemption responds to an emergency pest outbreak that the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry said caused a lack of available controls and risked significant economic yield losses for growers.
EPA finds dietary risks below concern
EPA's aggregate risk assessment found no risk estimates of concern for flupyradifurone with the emergency sugarcane use. Acute dietary exposure used 27% of the acute population adjusted dose (aPAD) for the general U.S. population and 55% of the aPAD for children 1-2 years old; chronic dietary exposure used 30% of the chronic population adjusted dose (cPAD) for the general U.S. population and 70% of the cPAD for children 1-2 years old.
Lawful residues remain lawful after expiry
Under FFDCA section 408(l)(5), residues of flupyradifurone that do not exceed the specified tolerances and that resulted from applications lawful under FIFRA will not be unlawful after the tolerances expire on December 31, 2028. That means crops treated lawfully while the exemption is in effect may retain residues up to the authorized levels after that date.
Tolerance not authorization for other states
EPA states these time-limited tolerances are based on a Louisiana crisis exemption and do not by themselves authorize use of flupyradifurone on sugarcane in any State other than Louisiana or serve as a basis for registration of flupyradifurone for sugarcane. Other States would need their own emergency exemption or registration to authorize use.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-10086 — Extending the Compliance Deadline for the PFOA and PFOS Maximum Contaminant Levels
The EPA is giving water systems more time to meet safety rules for two harmful chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, by extending the deadline from April 2029 to April 2031 if they ask for it. This helps water providers get ready without rushing, keeping our drinking water safe. The EPA wants your thoughts and will hold a public hearing in July 2026 to hear from everyone.
2026-10085 — Rescission of Regulatory Determinations and Removal of Related Provisions for Four PFAS Substances (PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), and the Mixture of These Three PFAS Plus PFBS)
The EPA is proposing to undo its rules for four PFAS chemicals (PFHxS, PFNA, GenX, and a mix including PFBS) in drinking water because the original process wasn’t done right. This means public water systems won’t have to monitor or treat these chemicals for now. People and water providers should weigh in by July 20, 2026, and a virtual hearing happens July 7.
2026-09895 — Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category-Unmanaged Combustion Residual Leachate
The EPA is updating rules for steam electric power plants to better control dirty water leaking from leftover coal waste. This change affects existing power plants and is expected to save up to $1 billion a year while protecting water quality. Comments on the proposal are open until June 17, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up!
2026-09524 — Begin Actual Construction in the New Source Review (NSR) Preconstruction Permitting Program
The EPA is updating rules about when companies can start building big projects that might affect air quality. Now, they can begin building parts that don’t release pollution before getting a full air permit, making things clearer and easier. This change mainly affects businesses planning major construction and could speed up projects without extra costs, but comments are due by June 29, 2026.
2026-09179 — Definition of Hazardous Waste Applicable to Corrective Action for Releases From Solid Waste Management Units; Withdrawal
The EPA has decided to cancel its plan to change the rules about what counts as hazardous waste for cleaning up pollution at certain waste sites. This means businesses and cleanup crews won’t have to deal with the confusing new rules that were proposed. The withdrawal takes effect immediately, so no extra costs or changes will happen right now.
2026-08750 — Extension of Postponement of Effectiveness for Certain Provisions of Trichloroethylene (TCE); Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
The EPA is hitting the pause button again on some rules about a chemical called TCE, which is used in workplaces. This means certain limited uses of TCE won’t have to follow new restrictions just yet, while courts review the rules. If you work with TCE, this delay gives you more time before changes kick in, starting May 18, 2026.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-23414 — Falsification, Reproduction, Alteration, Omission, or Incorrect Statements
The FAA fixed a rule mix-up that accidentally deleted whole sections instead of just small parts about lying or messing with official aviation documents. This fix puts those sections back where they belong, affecting airlines, flight schools, and commercial space operators. The corrected rules take effect December 19, 2025, so everyone should update their records to avoid trouble.
Next: 2025-23424 — Thiamethoxam; Pesticide Tolerances
The EPA just set a safe limit for thiamethoxam pesticide residue on black pepper at 0.15 parts per million. This affects farmers, food makers, and pesticide companies who handle black pepper. The new rule kicks in on December 19, 2025, and anyone wanting to object has until February 17, 2026, to speak up.