June 2004

Pesticide Registrations and Actions

• The tolerance for carfentrazone (Aim®) herbicide in fruiting vegetables has been extended for an additional 3-year period. The tolerances for the Section 18 Emergency Exemption expires on June 30, 2007. (Federal Register, 5/24/04).

• The tolerance for thiophanate-methyl (Topsin®) fungicide in citrus to control post-bloom fruit drop has been extended for an additional 3-year period. The tolerances for the Section 18 Emergency Exemption expires on June 30, 2007. (Federal Register, 5/24/04).

• Based on a request by Natural Industries, Inc., an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the microbial fungicide Streptomyces lydicus WYEC 108 on all agricultural commodities has been established. The material is reportedly effective against causal agents of damping-off. (Federal Register, 6/3/04).

•  Based on a request by Makhteshim-Agan of North America, Inc., tolerances have been approved for the insecticide novaluron. This is a contact material effective against whiteflies, thrips, caterpillars, mealybugs, leafminers, and some mites. Tolerances of importance to Florida include: cotton seed and gin byproducts, tuberous and corm vegetables, metal, milk, and eggs. (Federal Register, 6/2/04).

• Based on a request by Bayer CropScience, a tolerance has been approved for the insecticide imidacloprid and it metabolites on blueberry. (Federal Register, 5/26/04).

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• On May 6, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service issued the experimental use permit 432-EUP-7 to Bayer Environmental Science for the use of imidacloprid in treating interior areas of structures to control termites, ants, and other wood-infesting insects. The permit expires on December 31, 2005. (FDACS PREC Agenda, June 2004).

• The EPA has conditionally registered the insecticide flonicamid. This is a joint registration between ISK Biosciences Corporation and FMC Corporation. This is a nicotinamide with a different mode of action than other commercially-available nicotinoids. It provides rapid anti- feeding behavior on plant-sucking insects. The insecticide will be registered under the number 279-3264 and will initially be registered for pests in commercial greenhouses and interiorscapes. (Federal Register, 6/1/04 & FDACS PREC Agenda, June 2004).

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Organic Production
 

• Based on a press release by the Organic Trade Association (OTA), the process used by the USDA in developing several new policies concerning the nation's organic program sets a dangerous precedent and indicates disregard for the needs of organic farmers, processors and, ultimately, consumers who will be most affected by the agency's attempted changes in the nation's organic regulations. In a letter to USDA Secretary Ann Veneman, OTA has requested Veneman's review of the recent actions of USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) and her assurance that changes will be made to bolster industry confidence in NOP's work. The OTA asserts that NOP staff developed new policies, listed on the NOP web site as guidance documents and a directive, that are, in effect, major rule changes. Neither the public, including those who make or buy organic products, nor the National Organic Standards Board, the Secretary's advisory body, were consulted about these policy changes. "Allowing NOP to create and implement new directives 'at will' without open dialogue with stakeholders creates confusion for businesses and consumers alike," says Katherine DiMatteo, executive director of OTA. "For farmers and processors, the changes are akin to traveling a familiar route to work only to find different speed limits, detours and dead-end streets in place. OTA is asking that USDA use appropriate processes, including public comment on proposed changes to established policy, especially when these changes would amount to changes in the regulation itself." (OTA Press Release of 5/21/04).

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• On June 2, the EPA announced the availability of the Methyl Parathion Interim Reregistration Eligibility Decision (IRED). Public comment is invited on this decision document until August 2, 2004. An organophosphate insecticide, methyl parathion has been widely used in agriculture. An August 1999 Memorandum of Agreement between EPA and the technical registrants cancelled approximately 10% of methyl parathion uses but significantly reduced dietary, occupational, and ecological risks of concern. The IRED indicates that, providing risk mitigation measures are adopted, the risks of remaining methyl parathion uses are within acceptable levels. Products containing methyl parathion are eligible for reregistration except for use on the following crops: cabbage, dried bean, dried pea, hop, lentil, pecan, and sugar beet. (Federal Register 6/2/04).

• On June 2, the EPA also announced the availability of the Metam Sodium Human Health and Environmental Risk Assessments. Public comment is invited on these decision documents until August 2, 2004. (Federal Register 6/2/04).

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