June 2002

Pesticide Registrations and Actions

  • The USDA's IR-4 program and the Pesticide Information Office are requesting input from any concerned persons regarding the addition of any "orphan" crops for inclusion into established EPA Crop Groupings. An "orphaned" crop is one that does not belong to one of 19 current crop groups. The deadline is July 1, 2002. (IR-4 memo, 5/10/02)
  • On May 6, the EPA announced the availability of the revised human health and environmental fate and effects risk assessments for the triazine herbicide atrazine (Aatrex®). This notice also opened a 60-day comment period, closing July 5, which provides an opportunity for the public to submit risk mitigation ideas and proposals. EPA plans to complete an Interim Reregistration Eligibility Decision (IRED) for atrazine in early August. Although it is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans, atrazine has been associated with causing imbalances in hormone levels, possibly disrupting reproductive and developmental processes. The Agency has concerns regarding some exposures to atrazine, including possible risks from consuming drinking water from certain community water systems and some rural wells in atrazine use areas and possible risks from contact with recently treated lawns. (EPA OPP Update, 5/15/02).
  • An exemption from state experimental use permit (EUP) has been issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) for LPE Growth Regulator (ethanol formulation of lysophosphatidylethanolamine) on 0.1 acres of bell pepper. The exemption expires June 1, 2003. (FDACS correspondence).
  • On May 15, the EPA announced the availability of the Interim Reregistration Eligibility Decision (IRED) document for the organophosphate (OP) pesticide, methidathion (Supracide®). This interim decision was developed as part of the OP pilot public participation process that the EPA and the USDA are now using for involving the public in the reassessment of pesticide tolerances. Used on a variety of agricultural crops, predominantly alfalfa, citrus, and cotton, methidathion residues in food and drinking water do not pose risk concerns. Methidathion has no residential uses. EPA considered the mitigation proposal submitted by the technical registrant, as well as comments and mitigation ideas from other interested parties, and has decided on a number of label amendments (restrictions) that will reduce worker and ecological risks below levels of concern for reregistration. (EPA OPP Update, 5/20/02).
  • In mid-May, EPA staffers in the Biological and Economic Analysis Division (BEAD) traveled to Orlando, Florida to assist representatives of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) in preparing for the process of completing methyl bromide Critical Use Exemption (CUE) applications. Major questions for EPA included: How much documentation is needed to convince the reviewers that the data in the application are true and accurate? To what extent should applications/consortia be divided to account for differences between growers such as soil type, climate, pests, farm characteristics, etc.? To what extent should each alternative be addressed, especially when it is obvious that the alternative is not feasible? BEAD is planning three workshops - one in Orlando from June 24 to 28 - in the next two months to meet with grower groups and assist them in organizing the data necessary to complete applications CUEs. (USDA OPMP Newest News, 5/20/02).
  • Assail® insecticide (acetamiprid) from Aventis CropScience (EPA Reg. # 264-609), was registered in Florida effective May 13, 2002 for insect control on cotton, leafy and fruiting vegetables, cole crops, citrus, and pome fruit. (FDACS PREC Agenda, 6/6/02).
  • FDACS has accepted a revised label under section 24(c) of FIFRA (FL-870005) for Aquathol K (endothall) from Cerexagri (EPA Reg. # 4581-204). The revision consists of removal of the present use directions (1 to 3 ppm) to allow use consistent with the rate chart on the federal label. (FDACS letter of May 13, 2002).
  • Bayer CropScience has obtained the following tolerances for the fungicide trifloxystrobin (Gem®): egg, tree nut group, pistachio, chicken fat/meat/byproducts (0.04 ppm), field/pop corn grain (0.05 ppm), field corn refined oil (0.1 ppm), field corn forage (0.2 ppm), citrus fruit group (0.3 ppm), dried citrus pulp (0.8 ppm), stone fruit group (2 ppm), rice grain (3.5 ppm), field/pop corn stover (7 ppm), rice straw (7.5 ppm), rice hulls (8 ppm), and citrus oil (30 ppm). This compound has been designated as a reduced risk pesticide, and should be able to replace higher risk fungicides such as mancozeb and chlorothalonil. In citrus, the material will control diseases including melanose, greasy spot, scab, postbloom fruit drop, and alternaria. Florida registration is expected by the end of July. (Federal Register, 5/22/02 & Bayer CropScience Release).
  • Clincher® herbicide (cyhalofop-butyl), a new rice herbicide, was registered on May 23, to Dow AgroSciences. Clincher® registrations (a technical material and two end-use products) have been issued for a period of five years, during which time the company will conduct additional cancer studies. To ensure the protection of sensitive crops growing in nearby fields, buffer zones have been required and are stipulated on the end-use labels. This herbicide should be useful as a resistance management tool for controlling propanil- and quinclorac-resistant weeds in the South. Time-limited tolerances have been established for combined residues of cyhalofop in or on rice grain and rice straw. (USDA OPMP Newest News, 5/27/02).
  • On May 21, the EPA's Reduced Risk Committee granted Nichino America's miticide and insecticide, fenpyroximate, conventional "reduced-risk" status on apples, grapes and cotton. Fenpyroximate is "soft" on beneficial insects and predatory mites and will work with IPM strategies. Resistance management is a problem with mites since there are numbers of generations in a year. Fenpyroximate will add another miticide to the growers set of tools that will allow them to rotate this product with others on the market to control the mites. (USDA OPMP Newest News, 5/27/02).
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is contemplating the grant of a worldwide exclusive license to Aventis Environmental Sciences to control the spread of ticks that vector Lyme disease. This invention prevents the maturation of deer ticks on whitefooted mice by exposing the mice to fipronil as they enter food-baited boxes. (Federal Register, 5/21/02).
  • The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has released an environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) relative to the control of melaleuca in Florida. The EA considers the effect of, and alternatives to, the release of two nonindigenous organisms, Boreioglycaspis melaleucae and Lophryrotoma zonalis, into the environment for use as biological control agents. The EA provides the basis for issuance of a field release permit for B. melaleucae. A field release permit for L. zonalis will not be issued until more data is obtained on the potential for adverse effects. Based on the FONSI, APHIS has determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared. (Federal Register, 5/16/02).
  • The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new animal drug application filed by Schering-Plough Animal Health Corp. The drug is a three-way combination of diclazuril, bacitracin methylene disalicylate, and roxarsone Type A medicated articles to make Type C medicated feeds for broiler chickens. The rule is effective as of 5/16/02. (Federal Register, 5/16/02).
  • The EPA's Reduced Risk Committee has granted conventional "reduced-risk" and OP alternative status for use of the insecticide pyriproxyfen (Knack®, Esteem®), on sugar apple, cherimoya, atemoya, custard apple, ilama, soursop, biriba, avocado, papaya, star apple, black sapote, mango, sapodilla, canistel, mamey sapote, pineapple, white sapote, ugli fruit, banana, plantain, and coffee. Pyriproxyfen is an alternative for OPs (especially malathion) to control scale insects in these crops. Pyriproxyfen works by mimicking a juvenile insect growth hormone. (USDA OPMP Newest News, 6/3/02).
  • Representatives from Valent U.S.A. Corporation met with members of the EPA's Registration Division's Herbicide Branch on May 28 to discuss crop phytotoxicity incidents involving Valor® (flumioxazin) herbicide. Flumioxazin was registered April 12, 2001, for use in soybean and peanut. The Agency started receiving 6(a)(2) reports in the fall about crop damage from use of Valor® in peanut. Valent indicated that factors such as: application timing, planting depth, plant variety, the product formulation and weather contributed to the crop damage. The types of peanut injury included: slower and/or reduced germination, necrosis of above-ground portion of plant, stunted plants, necrotic spots, and wilting of lower leaves. Valent has revised the Valor® label by: lowering the maximum application rate in certain parts of the country, clarifying planting depth and timing of application, and prohibiting use of "long-season" peanut varieties. (USDA OPMP Newest News, 6/3/02).

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