EPA Announces Release Of Draft Fungicide Strategy And Seeks Public Comment

On May 1, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it released the draft Fungicide Strategy (Strategy) as part of EPA’s obligations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). According to EPA, the draft Strategy identifies “practical, science-based” protections to safeguard more than 1,000 federally endangered and threatened species, while preserving flexibility for states, growers, and applicators using fungicide products.

EPA is opening a 60-day public comment period. Comments are due on or before June 29, 2026, and can be submitted to docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2026-2973 at www.regulations.gov. EPA states it seeks comment from farmers, applicators, scientists, conservation groups, state partners, Tribal partners, and members of the public before issuing the draft Strategy in final. EPA expects to issue the final Fungicide Strategy no later than November 2026.