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CR comments to EPA on present uses of streptomycin in plant agriculture

SUMMARY: Consumer Reports comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Proposed Interim Registration Review Decision (PID) on the use of the active ingredient streptomycin in plant agriculture. Given the importance of reducing antimicrobial resistance, and given that EPA has not adequately addressed the risk to the environment (particularly pollinators like the honey bee), and to human health (through promotion of antibiotic resistance), we urge EPA to cancel all uses of streptomycin in plant agriculture. Any approval for streptomycin use should require a lot more data. At a minimum EPA should classify streptomycin as a Restricted Use Pesticide so it can only be applied by a licensed trained applicator and only via trunk injection.