Pesticide company wants Trump to throw out study showing how chemicals harm endangered species

Farmers spray pesticides in California.
(Image credit: David McNew/Getty Images)

Dow Chemical is pressuring the Trump administration to throw out a 10,000-page study compiled by government scientists that concluded several popular pesticides are dangerous to 1,800 critically threatened or endangered species, The Associated Press reports. Lawyers from the company sent letters to the heads of three Cabinet agencies last week asking that the study, which was compiled over the course of four years, be "set aside."

Dow's chairman and CEO, Andrew Liveris, is a friend and close adviser of President Trump, and his company donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration. "Dow actively participates in policymaking and political processes, including political contributions to candidates, parties, and causes, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws," said Dow's director of public affairs, Rachelle Schikorra. "Dow maintains and is committed to the highest standard of ethical conduct in all such activity."

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.