Micheal Clements, NAFB News Service

The Environmental Protection Agency is accepting comments on an updated Draft Guidance for Plant Regulators and Claims, Including Plant Biostimulants. Plant biostimulants are a relatively new but growing category of products, according to the EPA. Their increasing popularity arises from their ability to enhance agricultural productivity through stimulation of natural plant processes using substances and microbes already present in the environment. Plant biostimulants can also reduce the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers, making it an attractive option for sustainable agriculture and integrated pest management programs. An EPA spokesperson says, “When finalized, our Plant Biostimulants Guidance will provide sought-after certainty and transparency for this growing area of the economy.” While many plant biostimulants are not regulated as pesticides, certain mixtures and plant regulators can be pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. The public comment period will be open for 30 days at www.regulations.gov. EPA anticipates finalizing the guidance in January 2021.