EPA recently issued two Pesticide Registration Notices (PRNs) to address the increasing problem of pesticide resistance. The first PRN (2017-1 “Guidance for Pesticide Registrants on Pesticide Resistance Management Labeling”) offers general guidance on resistance management labeling for conventional agricultural insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides. The second PRN (2017-2 “Guidance for Herbicide Resistance Management Labeling, Education, Training, and Stewardship”) focuses specifically on herbicides and provides guidance on labels, terms of registration, education, training, and stewardship.

Over time, many pesticides have lost their effectiveness because of resistance developed by target pests, which can significantly decrease the utility of pesticides and result in major losses in crop production and profitability. As a result of this growing problem, EPA has undertaken a widespread effort to develop and disseminate strategies for pesticide registrants and users to implement to minimize pesticide resistance. The two PRNs can be accessed here, while EPA’s responses to public comments on the issue can be accessed here.