May 2003

Pesticide Registrations and Actions

• On March 4, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) received a letter from the EPA regarding the Special Local Needs registration FL-990014, which addresses the use of dichloropropene (Curfew®) in turf. The letter presented a decision in which the EPA concluded that the Notice of Intent to Disapprove FL-990014, dated February 15, 2000, is hereby withdrawn. The end result of this action is that the FL-990014 SLN registration is now valid and in proper standing. This terminates a long and confusing interaction between the state and EPA. (EPA letter of 2/21/03).

• On May 8, the FDACS issued the Special Local Needs [24(c)] registration number FL-030006 to Syngenta Crop Protection for the use of Reward® (diquat) for control of submersed weeds in aquatic environments such as rivers, streams, and canals. The EPA registration number for the product is 100-1091. (FDACS letter of 5/8/03).

• A number of fogger products that contain the insecticide etofenprox have recently been registered. Yard & Patio Fogger® (EPA Registration number 11715-325) which is for use outdoors and on outdoor surfaces of buildings for control of flies, mosquitoes, hornets, ants, cockroaches, and other pests was conditionally registered on April 14, 2003. Additionally, Vet-Kem Outdoor Fogger Siphotrol® and Pre-Strike® (EPA Registration number 11715-325-2724) were also registered on April 14, 2003. (FDACS PREC Agenda, 5/1/03).

• Two products that contain the herbicide triclopyr have recently been registered. Garlon® (EPA Registration number 62719-37) for control of emersed, submersed, or floating aquatic plants in aquatic sites which have minimal outflow, and marshy or banked shores around these sites, was registered on April 4, 2003. Additionally, Renovate® (EPA Registration number 62719-37-67690) was also registered on April 4, 2003. (FDACS PREC Agenda, 5/1/03).

• Clincher® (cyhalofop- butyl) herbicide (EPA Registration number 62719-357) for selective postemergence grass weed control in rice was registered on April 4, 2003. (FDACS PREC Agenda, 5/1/03).

•  On April 16, the FDACS issued an Experimental Use Permit for the for the use of Termidor® (fipronil) termiticide for application to arboreal (tree) termite nests and mounds in and adjacent to sites where this pest has been identified including structures, timbers, boats, trees, stumps, and fallen wood. The EPA registration number is 432-901. The EUP number is FL 03-EUP-2. (FDACS PREC Agenda, 5/1/03).

• On April 16, the FDACS issued an Experimental Use Permit for the for the use of Premise® (imidacloprid) termiticide for application to arboreal (tree) termite nests and mounds in and adjacent to sites where this pest has been identified including structures, timbers, boats, trees, stumps, and fallen wood. The EPA registration number is 3125-454. The EUP number is FL 03-EUP-3. (FDACS PREC Agenda, 5/1/03).

• EPA has received a request from registrant Bayer Environmental Science for voluntary cancellation of their organophosphate pesticide fenthion, used primarily for adult mosquito control in two counties in Florida. In a March 31, 2003, letter to EPA, Bayer cited the limited market for its fenthion products and the anticipated costs of developing data required for continued registration as reasons for its cancellation request. Under Bayer's proposal, fenthion may be produced and sold in the U.S. until June 30, 2004, and may be used until November 30, 2004. Bayer will take back all unopened fenthion products returned to the company by December 31, 2004. During the next two use seasons, amended product labeling will include revised use directions specifying safer spray methods and requiring steps to enhance protection of endangered species. These mitigation measures are expected to help reduce avian exposure during the phase-out period. (EPA OPP Update, 4/15/03).

• On April 9, EPA announced the conditional approval of the biological fungicide Pseudozyma flocculosa strain PF-A22 UL (Sporodex® L). The registration number is 69697-3 and it will expire on September 30, 2004. (Federal Register, 4/9/03).

• On April 30, EPA announced the granting of tolerances for the herbicide safener mefenpyr- diethyl (used with fenoxaprop) in wheat and barley. The tolerances are 0.05 ppm for barley/wheat grain, 0.2 ppm for barley/wheat straw, and 0.5 ppm for barley/wheat straw. (Federal Register, 4/30/03).

• On April 30, EPA announced the granting of tolerances for the herbicide pyraflufen-ethyl in corn (0.01 ppm), potato (0.02 ppm), and soybean (0.01 ppm). (Federal Register, 4/30/03).

• On April 30, EPA announced the granting of tolerances for the insecticide bifenthrin in banana (0.1 ppm), citrus fruit (0.05 ppm), herb subgroup 19A (0.05 ppm), spinach (0.2 ppm), and tomato (0.15 ppm). (Federal Register, 4/30/03).

• EPA is beginning a pilot process to determine a more efficient and targeted review of a limited number of pesticide emergency exemption applications that meet certain criteria, starting with the 2003 growing season. Pesticide emergency exemptions are allowed under section 18 of FIFRA. Under this provision, EPA may authorize a state or federal agency to allow an otherwise unregistered pesticide use to occur on an emergency basis to control unforseen pest situations for a limited time (usually no longer than one year at a time). The Agency will assess a request for emergency exemption of a particular use of a pesticide to ensure that an emergency exists and that the product can be used safely and will not result in unreasonable risks to human health or the environment. The pilot process will allow states and federal agencies to re-certify that the emergency pest problem, which initially qualified for a previously-granted exemption, continues to exist in the second and third years without annually submitting detailed information typically required to document the emergency. Additionally, the pilot will allow applicants for emergency exemptions to present economic data needed to support requests through a revised, tiered approach (which will often require less data) to document a "significant economic loss," as a result of the pest problem. Only pesticides that EPA has previously determined to be "reduced-risk" are eligible for consideration in the pilot program. While not being implemented in the current pilot program, EPA is also seeking public comment on the potential role of the emergency exemption process in supporting pest resistance management efforts. More at: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2003/April/Day-24/p10169.htm

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