NRDC Petitions EPA for the Monarch Butterfly
WASHINGTON (February 24, 2014)–Skyrocketing use of the weed-killer glyphosate, first marketed as “Roundup,” is devastating monarch butterfly populations, and new safeguards should be put in place immediately to save the iconic species from further decline, the Natural Resources Defense Council said today.
In a petition filed with the Environmental Protection Agency, NRDC said current uses of glyphosate are causing “significant ongoing harm” to monarchs, the unique orange-and-black butterfly species that migrates through the United States, Canada and Mexico as part of its annual life-cycle. Recent figures show the monarch numbers in their Mexican wintering ground have plunged to just 10 percent of their recent annual average, and “the pervasive use of glyphosate has contributed to the monarch’s decline,” the petition said.
“These beautiful and unique creatures have long fascinated biologists and school children alike,” said Sylvia Fallon, an NRDC senior scientist. “Their precipitous loss signals a warning about the unintended consequences of our industrial agricultural practices. We need to act quickly to ensure that future generations will also be able to experience the wonder of the monarch’s migration.”
The Use of Glyphosate is why NRDC Petitions the EPA
The massive use of glyphosate, a broad spectrum weed-killer, has led to large-scale suppression of milkweed, a native plant that is the sole source of food for monarch butterfly larvae. While many herbicides can kill milkweed, it is the current application of glyphosate that has “contributed to significant habitat loss along monarch migratory paths,” the petition says. Because each monarch lives only a few weeks in the summer, it takes several generations of butterflies to make the round-trip from Mexico to Canada and back.
The petition asks the EPA to conduct an urgent review of the rules for glyphosate and consider the cumulative impact on butterflies from glyphosate and other weed-killers.
Glyphosate
Since the glyphosate rules were last updated in 1993, its use has soared tenfold to 182 million pounds a year, following the introduction and rapid spread of “Roundup Ready” corn and soybeans. Developed by Roundup’s creator, ag-biotech giant Monsanto, these crops are genetically modified to resist the weed-killer. Transgenic soybeans and corn now dominate Midwest farms and glyphosate has become the most widely used herbicide in the United States. New herbicide-tolerant crops are in the pipeline, raising new threats to monarch habitat.
EPA Faces Pressure to Act Faster
The EPA plans to complete a new review of glyphosate rules next year. However, environmental advocates say monarch butterflies cannot afford to wait.
Because monarch populations have fallen so sharply, the petition urges the EPA to immediately review and restrict certain uses of glyphosate.
In addition, the petition calls for stronger protections for milkweed. Monarch butterflies depend on milkweed to survive and reproduce.
Protect Milkweed Along Roads and Power Lines
First, the petition recommends limiting glyphosate and other herbicides along highways and power-line rights of way.
Milkweed grows relatively low to the ground. Therefore, advocates argue that it can grow in many of these areas without interfering with maintenance crews or emergency access.
As a result, these corridors could provide valuable monarch habitat.
Create Herbicide-Free Areas on Farms
The petition also calls on farmers to establish herbicide-free safety zones.
For example, farmers could protect sections within or around their fields from herbicide applications. These areas could then support milkweed and other native plants.
At the same time, additional milkweed-friendly habitat could help replace habitat lost from intensive agriculture and development.
Watch Herbicide-Resistant Crops
Meanwhile, the petition warns about the continued expansion of herbicide-resistant crops.
New varieties could encourage farmers to apply even more herbicides. For instance, glyphosate-resistant wheat could potentially increase glyphosate use across large agricultural areas.
Therefore, the petition asks the EPA to examine these risks before herbicide use expands further.
Review Glyphosate Around Homes and Landscapes
The petition also asks the EPA to examine glyphosate use outside agriculture.
That includes gardens, landscaping and other cosmetic applications.
Although these uses may occur on smaller areas, they can still destroy milkweed and other plants that support monarch butterflies.
Consequently, the petition argues that regulators should consider the cumulative impact of these applications.
Avoid Replacing One Herbicide With Another
However, restrictions on glyphosate alone may not solve the problem.
The petition warns the EPA against creating rules that simply push users toward other herbicides. Some alternatives could harm monarch habitat just as severely. Moreover, certain weed killers may raise additional environmental or health concerns.
Therefore, any new policy should examine herbicide use more broadly instead of focusing on only one chemical.
NRDC Calls for a Faster EPA Review
Finally, NRDC urged the EPA to move quickly.
The organization asked the agency to begin reviewing the rules within 30 days. It also called on the EPA to complete that review within six months.
For monarch butterflies, advocates argue that faster action could help protect the remaining milkweed habitat before populations decline even further.
For more information about glyphosate and monarchs, see Sylvia Fallon’s blog: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/sfallon/glyphosate_and_monarchs.html
To see the petition, click here: http://docs.nrdc.org/wildlife/wil_14022101.asp
Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/#/photos/bronpraslicka/5202949055/
