EPA Announces Proposed Registration for New Pesticide Veratrine

Released on October 31, 2024

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its proposed registration decision for products containing the new active ingredient (AI) veratrine, an insecticide for direct application to walls and other man-made structures, such as transportation equipment for non-food commodities. Veratrine acts against pests by targeting insect nervous systems in a manner similar to the pyrethroids, but potentially without concerns for cross-resistance with those other chemicals. Cross-resistance occurs when use of one insecticide confers resistance to other insecticides in the same class, resulting in pests with resistance to multiple pesticides, which then may not be able to be controlled using those pesticides.

EPA's Risk Assessments

In addition to its proposed registration decision, EPA has also released its human health and ecological risk assessments, with the latter including EPA’s No Effect determination for veratrine under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

No human health or environmental risks of concern were identified when veratrine is used according to the label. In its effects determination, EPA found that veratrine would have No Effect on all listed species because the proposed use sites are unlikely to overlap with a significant portion of the species’ ranges. A No Effect determination means there will be no impacts to listed species or critical habitats from the proposed veratrine uses. This action complies with EPA’s obligations under the ESA and furthers the goals outlined in EPA’s April 2022 ESA Workplan.

Restrictions on the Product Label 

The human health and environmental risks assessments were based on the label restrictions listed below:

1. All end use products are labeled for direct spray application to brown marmorated stink bug, boxelder bug, house flies, or ants (excluding carpenter, harvester, pharaoh, fire) in spot, crack and crevice sites on the exterior vertical surfaces of the listed man-made structures only: commercial warehouses (non-food), commercial buildings, office buildings, theaters, hotels, motels, homes, garage buildings, resort buildings, industrial buildings, apartment buildings, dumpsters/trash cans, commercial kennel buildings, commercial horse stable buildings, and zoo buildings.
2. All end use product labels specify the time to spray and the distance from sprayer to the pest.
3. The labels prohibit applications to horizontal surfaces.
4. The labels prohibit use of the product as a perimeter treatment.
5. The labels prohibit more than 12 applications per calendar year.

Next Steps

After considering public comments on the proposed registration and the risk assessments, EPA will determine whether the registration action meets the FIFRA registration standard.

To read more about the proposed registration of veratrine and to comment, see docket ID EPA-HQ-OPP-2022-0772 at www.regulations.gov. The public comment period will be open for 30 days, closing on November 28, 2024.