Widely used insecticide pulled from market

WASHINGTON – Federal regulators have ordered the makers of a widely used insecticide to take it off the market because it harms tiny aquatic animals.

The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday ordered Bayer CropScience and Nichino America to cancel production of all products containing flubendiamide. The decision comes after studies showed the insecticide harms species at the bottom of aquatic food chains in streams and ponds.

Flubendiamide is used on more than 200 crops, including soybeans, tobacco, cotton and numerous varieties of fruits and nuts.

The EPA has previously asked the companies to voluntarily withdraw products containing the problematic insecticide. Regulators moved to cancel the government registration required to make it after they refused.

Flubendiamide is the active ingredient in Bayer’s Belt pesticide. The German chemical giant disputes its product is harmful.