EPA Quietly Tweaks Pesticide Limits on Barley and Oats
Published Date: 6/30/2026
Rule
Summary
The EPA just updated the legal limits for chlormequat chloride pesticide residues on barley, oats, wheat, and some animal products. Farmers, food makers, and pesticide companies need to know these new rules start June 30, 2026. If anyone wants to object or ask for a hearing, they must do so by August 31, 2026—no delays!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
New residue limits for foods
The EPA changed legal limits (tolerances) for chlormequat chloride residues on many food and livestock commodities effective June 30, 2026. Examples in the rule include barley grain at 8 parts per million (ppm), oat grain at 40 ppm, wheat grain at 5 ppm, milk at 0.5 ppm, and eggs at 0.1 ppm.
Five‑year residue data requirement
EPA will require data to be submitted demonstrating that residue levels in food are not above the levels anticipated, and that data must be submitted no later than 5 years from the date of issuance of these tolerances. EPA said it will issue any necessary data call‑ins under FFDCA section 408(f)(1).
Temporary hog tolerances expire
The tolerances for chlormequat chloride on hog meat and hog meat byproducts include a footnote that those tolerances expire December 30, 2026. Producers and processors handling hog meat or hog meat byproducts will need to note the December 30, 2026 expiration.
Infant/child safety determination
EPA concluded the acute dietary risk for infants is 22% of the acute population adjusted dose (aPAD) and maintained the Food Quality Protection Act safety factor reduction from 10X to 1X for chlormequat chloride. The rule states EPA found a reasonable certainty of no harm for infants and children under its safety assessment.
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Key Dates
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