By Neal Kittelson, MDA, reviewed by Tana Haugen-Brown, UMN Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education Extension educator, Sally Raymond, UMN Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education Extension educator, and Jolene Warnke, UMN Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education Extension educator
You may have noticed lately more references to the Endangered Species Act and pesticide labels. Why now? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed new “strategies” for how they are handling its obligations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The EPA released the finalized Herbicide Strategy on August 20, 2024, and the Insecticide Strategy on April 29, 2025.
The finalization of these strategies will result in several changes to pesticide labels that users will need to be aware of before making applications. Updates to pesticide labels are being implemented through the pesticide registration process and will take considerable time to fully implement, so be sure to fully read your label every time new products are purchased.
As of June 12, 2025, there is only one herbicide (Liberty ULTRA, EPA Reg No. 7969-500) registered in Minnesota that has a label with the new ESA requirements; however, going forward, any new or re-registered pesticide products will likely contain the new ESA language on the label.
Applicators can expect to see three (3) new sections on pesticide labels based on ESA requirements. It is recommended that applicators document all actions taken to comply with these new requirements.
Products with ESA language will contain new drift mitigation requirements and downwind buffers based on the product's potential for population-level impacts. The label will require applicators to visit the EPA Mitigation Menu website to determine if a site requires drift mitigation. A picklist of options to reduce the label specified buffer requirements is available if certain criteria are met or implemented.
Applicators using pesticides with new ESA language must ensure all requirements are met prior to making an application. Applicators may need to work with farm owners/managers in cases where land management practices are required to meet mitigation points.
Applicators and managers of agricultural land are encouraged to visit the EPA Mitigation Menu website, the EPA’s Pesticides and Endangered Species Educational Resources Toolbox, and Bulletins Live! Two to start determining requirements for fields they own or manage.
For more information on the label requirements associated with the ESA, contact: PTU.MDA@state.mn.us
You may have noticed lately more references to the Endangered Species Act and pesticide labels. Why now? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed new “strategies” for how they are handling its obligations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The EPA released the finalized Herbicide Strategy on August 20, 2024, and the Insecticide Strategy on April 29, 2025.
The finalization of these strategies will result in several changes to pesticide labels that users will need to be aware of before making applications. Updates to pesticide labels are being implemented through the pesticide registration process and will take considerable time to fully implement, so be sure to fully read your label every time new products are purchased.
As of June 12, 2025, there is only one herbicide (Liberty ULTRA, EPA Reg No. 7969-500) registered in Minnesota that has a label with the new ESA requirements; however, going forward, any new or re-registered pesticide products will likely contain the new ESA language on the label.
What are the changes to Pesticide Label Requirements?
Mandatory spray drift management
Products with ESA language will contain new drift mitigation requirements and downwind buffers based on the product's potential for population-level impacts. The label will require applicators to visit the EPA Mitigation Menu website to determine if a site requires drift mitigation. A picklist of options to reduce the label specified buffer requirements is available if certain criteria are met or implemented.
Mandatory runoff mitigation
To address potential population-level impacts due to pesticide exposures from erosion and runoff, the label will require applicators to visit the EPA Mitigation Menu website. This website provides steps to determine if a field requires mitigation, and a picklist of actions to achieve the label specified point requirements.Endangered and threatened species protection requirements
Product labels with this section will require applicators to check Bulletins Live! Two (BLT) prior to using the product. Applicators will need to use the BLT website to determine if there are any Pesticide Use Limitation Areas (PULAs) in place and, if so, obtain the Endangered Species Bulletin and implement any additional restrictions from the Bulletin before using the product.Applicators using pesticides with new ESA language must ensure all requirements are met prior to making an application. Applicators may need to work with farm owners/managers in cases where land management practices are required to meet mitigation points.
Applicators and managers of agricultural land are encouraged to visit the EPA Mitigation Menu website, the EPA’s Pesticides and Endangered Species Educational Resources Toolbox, and Bulletins Live! Two to start determining requirements for fields they own or manage.
For more information on the label requirements associated with the ESA, contact: PTU.MDA@state.mn.us
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