EPA Limits Use of Pesticide That Kills Birds

In an unprecedented action to protect birds, the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday banned the use of the pesticide diazinon on golf courses and sod farms.

EPA officials said the order is based on reports of about 60 incidents of massive bird kills in 18 states in which diazinon was confirmed or implicated as the main cause.

After a two-year legal fight, EPA Administrator William K. Reilly issued an order barring continued use of diazinon, marking the first time the agency has revoked government approval of a pesticide solely because of its harmful effects on birds.

Diazinon, primarily produced by Ciba-Geigy, is widely used to control a variety of insects at agricultural and ornamental nursery sites and around homes and gardens. About 8 million pounds are used annually.

The pesticide has not been used on golf courses or sod farms since March, 1988, after an initial EPA order banning the chemical.

That order was subsequently contested by Ciba-Geigy in legal action and was sent back to the EPA for reconsideration in 1989 by the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.