The Center for Food Safety and the Center for Biological Diversity are challenging the EPA’s approval of a new fungicide. Inpryfluxam received agency approval in August and the two environmental groups have filed a lawsuit claiming the fungicide is highly toxic to fish and harmful to large birds. Iowa Soybean Association President Jeff Jorgenson says inpryfluxam was thoroughly examined and approved after its safety was confirmed. He says it’s an important tool for producers.

He says while agriculture groups constantly have to defend their products, much of it involves educating others how important, necessary and safe those products are.

Jorgenson says inpryfluxam is an important product in controlling species that cause seed decay, seedling damping off and root rot.

EPA approved the fungicide for foliar and seed treatment uses to protect against Rhizoctonia, which harms corn, soybeans, grains and sugar beets.