A trade group representing manufacturers of pesticide and herbicides is alleging that the Environmental Protection Agency is ignoring science by proposing a ban on a chemical used on many citrus crops.

According to Associated Press, EPA recently proposed prohibiting the use of chlorpyrifos, which is used on oranges, apples, cherries and other crops. Dozens of farm workers have been sickened by the chemical in recent years, and EPA officials fear overuse of the pesticide could make insects immune to its effects. http://bit.ly/1Pgp141

CropLife America contends the agency's fears are overblown. In a statement, the association said EPA "has ignored the thousands of scientific studies that have examined and validated the product's safe use and agricultural importance."

The association also said that chlorpyrifos is one of the most widely-tested products across the world and an "invaluable tool" for farmers.

The EPA action came about in part because of a lawsuit filed by the Natural Resources Defense Council and other environmental groups. The litigants claim the pesticide interferes with brain development in fetuses, infants and children.

"This is a drastic and unnecessary step that is caused by wasteful, agenda-driven litigation," said Jay Vroom, CEO of CropLife America. "We are confident that due legal and scientific process will make this proposed action unnecessary."

The EPA banned the use of chlorpyrifos in homes in 2000 and created no-spray zones around schools and other places where the chemical could possibly affect human health, the AP reported. http://bit.ly/1GHPwOw

MORE CEO DATELINE

• Toy association: Parents not paying attention to age labels
• Association leaves USB drives lying around in public, gets surprising results
• Associations welcome Ryan as new House speaker
• Electric Vehicle Charging Association launched
• Delta quits Airlines for America because of policy differences