U.S. pesticide producers in California are up in arms against the latest proposal of the Environmental Protection Agency to ban a common pesticide used on citrus fruits and other crops due to its harmful effects on humans.

The proposal which was announced Friday would ban the use of chlorpyrifos, a kind of pesticide that is widely used on a variety of crops such as grapes, apples, almonds, and other vegetables such as broccoli and beans.

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Reports say farmers have been using the pesticide since it was introduced in the market in 1965 and many have fallen ill because of its harmful effects.

The EPA said traces of chlorpyrifos have been detected in waterways, threatening maritime resources as well as drinking water. EPA regulators also said the overuse of the pesticide on crops no longer serves its purpose since the insects become immune to the pesticide.

U.S. farms use more than six million pounds of the chemical each year, about 25 percent of it in California.

California's agricultural industry as well as pesticide producers in California said the ban is "unfair" and pointed out that misuse of the pesticide by some quarters should not lead to blanket restrictions.

Jay Vroom, President of Croplife America, a group representing pesticide producers, said the proposed ban is a "wasteful, drastic, and an unnecessary" step taken by environmental groups who have an agenda to protect.

"We are confident that due legal and scientific process will make this proposed action unnecessary," Vroom said.

Environmental advocacy groups have long been petitioning the California officials to place a national ban on chlorpyrifos, saying that the pesticide affects the development of brain function of children, babies and fetuses.

The agency placed a partial ban on the pesticide in 2000, prohibiting its use at home. In 2012, EPA placed a "no-spray" ban on sensitive facilities, specifically around school zones.

But health and environmental groups continued to lobby for a national ban, saying EPA's efforts were not enough.

Scientists said the continued use of the pesticide put farm workers and communities in "harm's way" given the millions of pounds of chlorpyrifos being used in all agricultural fields in California.

The ban was welcomed by health and environmental groups.

The EPA's announcement "is a huge step in the right direction, but we think there's enough evidence to ban all its uses now," Singla said.

EPA said the proposal will be studied further and will accept comments on the rule for two months before coming up with a final rule in December 2016. The rule is expected to be implemented by 2017 at the earliest. 

Tagsenvironmental protection agency, chlorpyrifos, pesticide ban, california