Environment — News & Analysis

Trump Administration Fails to Protect Endangered Wildlife From Atrazine (May 18, 2026)

May 18, 2026 — In a controversial decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it concluded that the pesticide atrazine does not threaten protected plants or animals with extinction.

This finding directly contradicts previous government assessments and international health organizations that categorize the chemical as a likely carcinogen linked to birth defects, multiple cancers, and fertility problems like low sperm quality and irregular menstrual cycles. Environmental advocates argue that the administration is prioritizing industrial interests over the survival of imperiled species and public safety. Despite being banned in dozens of nations, atrazine remains a primary tool for American corn production, even as experts warn it causes widespread ecological damage. The report emphasizes that the current regulatory path effectively greenlights the continued use of this toxic substance for the foreseeable future. Consequently, conservationists are calling for a total ban to prevent irreversible harm to the nation’s ecosystems and human health.

Estimated agricultural use of atrazine in 2019/USGS, at The Center for Biological Diversity, included in the linked-to full article