UNIFIED VOICES, SMARTER SOLUTIONS: Tackling ESA Challenges Together
The Helena Products Group Innovation Center houses a state-of-the-art formulation development and technical support laboratory.
Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulations are transforming how growers approach crop protection. For Patrick Ewan, General Manager of Helena Products Group and newly appointed CPDA Chairman, the path is clear: simplify complexity, educate stakeholders, and provide practical tools that protect both yield and the environment.
“ESA continues to evolve,” Ewan says. “There’s been clear progress on herbicides, but insecticides and fungicides still need work. The industry is in learning mode. We know education is critical.”
That education spans growers, retailers, and Helena’s own teams. Ewan points to collaborative efforts among groups like CPDA, CropLife, and ARA to unify messaging and reduce confusion. “We need collective voices to simplify the complexity,” he explains. “Our goal is to ensure growers and retailers understand what ESA means and how to comply without sacrificing productivity.”
Compliance Starts with Practical Tools
One area where Helena is leading is adjuvant technology. These products, often overlooked outside agronomy circles, play a critical role in ESA compliance. Drift reduction agents, for example, help minimize pesticide movement beyond target areas, a key requirement under buffer zone regulations.
“We’ve been at the forefront of adjuvant development for more than 50 years,” Ewan says. “This isn’t new for us. We’ve invested heavily in research and have a dedicated farm where we test new concepts. ESA has been on our radar for years.”
Helena’s portfolio includes drift reduction adjuvants formally recognized as mitigation tools; a milestone Ewan credits to rigorous data and persistent advocacy. “That recognition didn’t happen overnight,” he notes. “It took a lot of effort to show lawmakers the science behind these products. They reduce drift, deliver more active ingredient to the target, and improve overall spray performance.”
The benefits go beyond compliance. By reducing drift, growers keep more acres productive and avoid costly setbacks. “Taking productive acreage out of use hurts,” Ewan says. “These tools help protect that land while meeting environmental standards.”
Advocacy with a Purpose
CPDA is the business council for crop protection. As Chairman, Ewan amplifies his commitment to science-based regulation. His priorities center on strengthening the voice of adjuvants, inerts and post-patent manufacturers and ensuring policy decisions support innovation.
“We’ve worked hard to earn a seat at the table,” he says. “Our members bring decades of experience and common-sense practices. Policymakers see that we provide solid, logical information.”
CPDA’s advocacy has already produced tangible results. In 2025, non-PRIA registration backlogs decreased by 40 percent, and PRIA delays dropped by 9 percent; Ewan credits this progress to consistent engagement with EPA and lawmakers. “Efficiencies and accountability are key,” he stresses. “We need well-funded, functioning pesticide registration systems and clear pathways for new and post-patent chemistries.”
Funding remains a challenge. While EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) avoided major cuts, overall budgets remain tight. “Companies are paying more in fees while appropriations lag,” Ewan says. “We consider it a win that OPP stayed flat, but it’s not enough.”
State-Level Consistency and Innovation
Beyond federal advocacy, CPDA is advocating for consistent state-level regulations. Fragmented rules cause inefficiencies that impact the supply chain. “If every state rewrites labels differently, it’s chaos,” Ewan warns. “We’re working to ensure risk-based approaches that maintain a unified marketplace.”
Collaboration is essential. “We’re stronger together,” Ewan says. “Whether it’s EPA, USDA, or allied organizations like CLA and ARA, we need one voice on critical issues.”
The Bottom Line
Ewan’s message to growers and industry partners is straightforward: ESA compliance is here to stay, and success depends on education, practical tools, and unified advocacy.
“Our goal is simple. We want to protect the acre, while protecting the environment,” he concludes. “Ensure farmers have access to safe, effective tools and keep innovation moving. That means reducing bottlenecks, improving labels, and delivering solutions that work in the field.”
