April 2004

Pesticide Registrations and Actions

• On March 17, the EPA notified the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service (FDACS) that it had granted a specific exemption under Section 18 of FIFRA for use of the fungicide fenbuconazole (Enable®) for management of greasy spot on grapefruit. The registration number for the Dow AgroScience product is 62719-416, and the exemption expires on 10/1/04. (EPA letter of 3/17/04).

• On February 27, the EPA notified the FDACS that it had granted a specific exemption under Section 18 of FIFRA for use of the fungicide thiophanate- methyl (Topsin® M) on citrus to manage post-bloom fruit drop and stem-end rot. The registration numbers for the Cerexagri products are 4581-408 or 4581-377, and the exemption expires on 2/27/05. (EPA letter of 2/27/04).

• On March 17, the EPA notified the FDACS that it had granted a specific exemption under Section 18 of FIFRA for use of the fungicide thiophanate-methyl (Topsin® M) for management of white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) on fruiting vegetables (tomato, pepper, eggplant). The registration numbers for the Cerexagri products are 4581- 408 or 4581-377, and the exemption expires on 3/31/05. (EPA letter of 3/17/04).

• Based on a request by ISK Biosciences, a tolerance has been established for residues of the nematicide fosthiazate in or on tomato. The regulation became effective April 7, 2004. (Federal Register, 4/7/04).

• Based on a request by BASF Corporation, a tolerance has been established for residues of the fungicide boscalid in or on pome fruit and soybean. The regulation became effective April 14, 2004. (Federal Register, 4/14/04).

• On April 9, the FDACS notified Syngenta Seeds that evaluations of Bacillus thuringiensis VIP3A protein to manage bollworm complex and other lepidopteran cotton pests are exempt from the requirement of obtaining an experimental use permit (EUP). (FDACS letter of 4/9/04).

• Based on a request by Valent U.S.A. Corporation, a tolerance has been established for residues of the herbicide flumioxazin (Valor®) in or on cotton gin byproducts or cottonseed. The regulation became effective March 31, 2004. (Federal Register, 3/31/04).

• Bayer CropScience has requested the voluntary cancellation of certain pesticides containing amitraz. In Florida, the only product is Ovasyn® (264-625) which is registered for insect and mite management in cotton. Cancellation will occur in mid- April. (Federal Register, 3/17/04).

Back to Menu

Next

• The FDACS issued a new number to the old Special Local Needs (SLN) label FL-970004 (metsulfuron-methyl use on St. Augustine sod farms to control alligatorweed) due to a new brand name. Escort® XP can now be used in this site under FL-040001. (FDACS PREC Agenda, April 2004).
   

• The FDACS issued an experimental use permit (62719-EUP-57) to Dow AgroSciences LLC for the use of the herbicide penoxsulam for management of aquatic weeds. The EUP is authorized through March 10, 2005. (FDACS letter of 4/1/2004).

Back to Menu

Next

• As reported back in the Nov./Dec. 2000 issue of Chemically Speaking, residential diazinon use is being phased out. Here are a few highlights that some of you may not be aware of or may have forgotten about. The last day retailers can sell diazinon is Dec. 31, 2004, after which Syngenta and Makhteshim will buy back all remaining inventory. Only 56 percent of retailers sold diazinon in 2003 compared to the year 2000 and very little inventory remains in the big retailers, such as Home Depot, Lowes, and Walmart. End-use products in the hands of consumers do not have to be returned to the dealer/retailer - they can be used up according to the label. If you have any questions, contact Syngenta at 1-800-334-9481.

• Users of metam are asked to contact the Pesticide Information Office to provide use and benefit information. This sterilant is undergoing review and various questions arise as to the utility of the material. Please let us know if this is an important tool for you.

• The EPA has ordered pesticide distributors and retailers in a number of states to stop selling counterfeit pet pesticide products which falsely contain EPA registration numbers and labeling for the Advantage® and Frontline® brands of pesticides. These products appear to have been unlawfully imported into the U.S. The products may be differentiated from the legitimate products in several ways, which can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/petproduct.htm (EPA OPP Update, 3/5/04).

Back to Menu

Next