CALIFORNIA – The Center for Biological Diversity announced, November 14, that environmental groups reached an agreement with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to propose regulations for pesticide-treated seeds.

According to the center, treated seeds are one of the biggest sources of pesticides. 

In a 2023 lawsuit, environmental group, the Natural Defense Council, said for decades, DPR has maintained a policy that treated seeds are not “pesticides” subject to regulation.

The center says this agreement closes the loophole that allowed uncontrolled use of pesticide treated seeds.

Lower yields and higher costs without seed treatments

Seed treatments typically comprise one or more pesticides applied to seeds as a coating before planting to limit early season risks to pest damage.

The American Soybean Association (ASA) says on average, 90% of soybean acres in their survey were planted with treated seeds.

“Because seed treatments are broadly adopted by U.S. soybean producers, disruptions to this technology would likely alter on-farm operational strategies and product delivery methods,” said ASA economist Jacquie Holland.

In addition, data collected from 2004–2014 found that 90% of corn acres were grown with treated seeds. 

Holland said farmers would likely face lower yields and higher costs without seed treatments.

Developmental and reproductive harms

Center for Biological Diversity environmental health legal director Jonathan Evans says pesticides don’t just stay on seeds. They end up contaminating soils, waterways and wildlife.

“Neonicotinoids, or “neonics,” are neurotoxic pesticides and commonly used as seed treatments. As the most widely used class of insecticides, and among the most devastating pesticides since DDT, neonics also threaten human health,” says the news release.

According to the center, neonics have been detected in the bodies of over 95% of pregnant women in nationwide testing, “a particularly concerning statistic as prenatal exposure is linked with developmental and reproductive harms.”

The regulations will determine the department’s authority to assess and address the environmental and human health harms caused by pesticide seed treatments.

It will also decide whether treated seeds used, delivered or sold in California must be treated only by pesticides registered by the department.

In addition, the regulations will refine the process of reporting the sale and use of pesticide-treated seeds in California.

Others countries already report

Pesticide Action Network North America senior scientist Margaret Reeves said internationally many countries already report seed treatment use of pesticides while the U.S. does not.

“May California once again lead the rest of the country as we catch up with other countries on this important use of pesticides and route of pesticide exposure,” said Reeves.

The agreement between the environmental groups and DPR requires DPR to propose regulations addressing pesticide-treated seeds by Feb. 2, 2026, and to finalize these regulations within the following year.

For more information visit https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/legal-agreement-requires-california-to-propose-regulations-for-pesticide-treated-seeds-2024-11-14/