Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology
The Business Council for Agrotechnology

May 15, 2026

ESA Mitigation: Win for CPDA Members on Drift Reduction Adjuvants

EPA’s recently released Draft Fungicide Strategy includes proposed additional approvals for guar- and oil emulsion-based Drift Reduction Adjuvants (DRAs), expanding their use across herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides.

Most notably, the proposal includes up to a 50 percent spray drift buffer reduction for guar-based DRAs, providing additional flexibility for growers working to comply with ESA mitigation requirements while maintaining effective crop protection programs. The proposal also expands recognition of oil emulsion DRAs for certain applications.

The proposal reflects continued engagement by CPDA and member companies with EPA on practical, workable mitigation options that can be implemented in the field.

Polymer-based DRAs are not currently included due to EPA concerns related to pump shear. A subcommittee of CPDA’s ESA Technical Committee is developing a proposed ASTM standard addressing those concerns and plans to submit it for review in October 2026.

Members with questions or comments are encouraged to reach out to Mason Neal or Eric Spandl.

ESA Communication Resources Available to CPDA Members

As ESA requirements continue to evolve, CPDA is equipping members with practical communications tools designed to help simplify a complex policy conversation for growers.



These resources support a consistent industry message around how adjuvants and drift reduction tools can support on-target applications, stewardship, and compliance planning. The materials are intended to help members communicate these concepts clearly through the trusted voices growers rely on every day, including agronomists and sales teams.

CPDA members can access the latest ESA communications assets below.

Advocacy in Action

Behind every policy discussion in Washington are real-world impacts for farmers, the crop protection industry, and the broader American economy.



CPDA continues to advocate for practical, science-based policies that support regulatory predictability, maintain access to critical tools, and strengthen long-term competitiveness across the crop protection value chain.

Watch CPDA’s latest advocacy video below.

CPDA in Action

CPDA EPA Working Group Continues Engagement

CPDA’s EPA Working Group met this week to continue discussions on regulatory process improvements, agency communication challenges, and opportunities to improve efficiency within EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs.

Topics discussed included digital labels, label review timelines, 75-day letters, data compensation, electronic data submissions, and potential approaches to streamline 100% repack reviews. Members also discussed the importance of consistent agency communication and the challenges associated with reviewer turnover and delayed regulatory packages.

The group reviewed opportunities for future engagement with EPA Registration Division leadership, including a proposed July meeting focused on process improvements and implementation issues tied to PRIA 6 discussions.

CPDA also plans to host a future “Digital Labels 101” member discussion focused on emerging implementation and policy considerations.



If you are a CPDA member and interested in participating in the EPA Working Group, please reach out to Terry Kippley.

Kristen Cianni, Atticus; Jayne Walz, Helena; Matthew Granahan, Helm; Melinda McCann, Drexel, Lisa Mathias, WinField United; Terry Kippley, CPDA; Niamhn McMahon, AMVAC; Ray McAllister, CPDA; Alexis Bromley, Nutrien; Nandi Nagaraj, UPL; Marcia Trostel, Nutrien; Nathan Ehresman, Albaugh

Member Engagement: BRANDT

CPDA President & CEO Terry Kippley visited longtime CPDA member company BRANDT at the Evelyn Brandt Thomas Ag Innovation Center outside Springfield, Illinois.



Discussions focused on global plant health markets, adjuvant technologies, regulatory priorities, and the commercial challenges facing the industry. Member engagement remains critical to ensuring CPDA’s advocacy reflects real-world business and regulatory priorities across the crop protection value chain.

Brian Deverman; Brandt; Terry Kippley; CPDA; Karl Barnhart and Eric Winans; Brandt

CLA/RISE Regulatory Conference

CPDA participated in the CLA/RISE Regulatory Conference this week, joining industry and EPA representatives for discussions on regulatory and policy developments impacting crop protection products.



CPDA appreciates the opportunity to participate and thanks CLA and RISE for their continued engagement and collaboration.

Terry Kippley, CPDA; Alex Dunn, CropLife America; Scott Herndon, RISE; Andrew Walmsley, CPDA

Technical Service Providers and Agricultural Research

CPDA also met this week with representatives from the American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), Soil Science Society of America (SSSA), and the Agricultural Retailers Association to discuss opportunities related to Technical Service Providers and agricultural research.



The discussion focused on the importance of trusted expertise in the field and continued investment in research that supports practical, grower-focused solutions.

Terry Kippley, CPDA; Luther Smith, Science Societies; Julie McClure, Torrey Advisory Group; Andrew Walmsley, CPDA; Hunter Carpenter, ARA.

Upcoming Webinars

EPA Fungicide Strategy: Webinar and Next Steps

EPA will host a webinar on its Draft Strategy to Protect Endangered Species from Fungicides on Wednesday, May 20, from 2:00–3:00 PM ET.

CPDA welcomes EPA’s draft Fungicide Strategy and the continued recognition of drift reduction adjuvants as practical, on-the-ground tools for growers. Expanding buffer reduction options to include oil emulsion DRAs for fungicides and insecticides, and guar-based DRAs across herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, provides additional flexibility for farmers working to meet ESA requirements while maintaining effective crop protection.



These are workable, science-based approaches that help protect the acre while keeping essential tools available. As EPA moves forward, it will be important to ensure all DRA technologies are evaluated based on sound science and real-world performance. CPDA is actively engaging with the Agency to address questions related to polymer-based adjuvants and ensure those tools can be appropriately considered. CPDA will be submitting comments to the draft strategy before the deadline.

FESTF Webinar

The FIFRA Endangered Species Task Force (FESTF) will be hosting a webinar on Thursday, May 21, from 2-4 p.m. Eastern time to discuss the EPA's Draft Fungicide Strategy.

Registration is required to attend.

The intent of the webinar is to:

• provide an overview of the EPA's Draft Fungicide Strategy
• identify major themes and mitigations in the Draft Fungicide Strategy and across the Final Herbicide Strategy and Final Insecticide Strategy
• provide technical support for stakeholder questions
• highlight potential parts of the Draft Fungicide Strategy to focus on for providing public comments to EPA (due June 29, 2026) 

If you are not able to attend, a recording of the webinar will be provided for those who register. 

Upcoming Industry Events

Until next time….