By Scout Nelson
North Dakota State University Extension is encouraging farmers, agricultural professionals, and the public to participate in the Environmental Protection Agency’s public comment process for its new fungicide strategy proposal. The public comment period opened after the EPA released the draft strategy on May 1, 2026, and comments will be accepted through June 29, 2026. The strategy document can be found at: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OPP-2026-2973.
The Environmental Protection Agency developed the proposal to reduce possible harmful effects from pesticide exposure on federally listed endangered and threatened species and their protected habitats. The strategy is being created under requirements connected to the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
NDSU Extension pesticide specialist Madeleine Smith emphasized the importance of public participation during the review process.
“Providing a wide range of perspectives to the EPA through the public comment process allows for development of a more practical and comprehensive final strategy,” says Madeleine Smith, North Dakota State University Extension pesticide specialist.
The proposal follows earlier EPA insecticide and herbicide strategies that already resulted in label updates for pesticide products. Smith noted that recent label changes appeared on products such as Engenia, Tavium, and Stryax, which are commonly used for weed control in soybean and cotton production systems.
The public comment period is open until June 29, and comments can be submitted at https://www.regulations.gov/.
The EPA strategy focuses on reducing off-target pesticide movement that may affect wildlife, water resources, and protected habitats. The agency hopes the proposal will balance environmental protection goals with practical farming and pesticide management needs.
To help explain the proposal, the EPA will host a public webinar on May 20, 2026, at 1 p.m. Central Time. The webinar will provide an overview of the strategy and discuss implementation plans and future expectations. Registration is required for participation in the online event.
The EPA expects to release the final fungicide strategy by November 2026 after reviewing comments and additional feedback received during the public review process. NDSU Extension encourages growers and pesticide users to stay informed because future pesticide label changes may affect crop management decisions across many farming operations.
Photo Credit: north-dakota-state-university
Categories: North Dakota, General