Pesticide Registrations and Actions

Non-Food Related Actions

• The FDACS requested in early June a specific exemption from the EPA for the use of thiophanate (Topsin®) on cotton to control fusarium hardlock.  (FDACS letter of 6/6/07). 
•  The EPA has approved the use of alternative crop plants and weeds - a natural refuge - instead of a structured non-Bt cotton refuge for Bollgard® II cotton.  Scientific review has shown that insect resistance management can be accomplished by using only alternative crops and weeds in combination with plantings of Bollgard® II cotton from Texas to the Mid-Atlantic.  Previously, farmers planting this cotton were required to cultivate a certain percentage of non-Bt cotton and specifically deploy it relatively close to the Bt cotton fields to reduce the likelihood that Bt resistance would develop.  However, the current structured refuge requirements for Bollgard® II cotton will remain in place for pink bollworm resistance management in the trans-Pecos area of Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California.  The Agency's approval comes after extensive analyses and peer review of Monsanto Company's 2006 natural refuge proposal for Bollgard® II cotton.  EPA concluded that scientific evidence showed using the natural refuge with Bollgard® II cotton would be effective for areas where tobacco budworm and cotton bollworm were primary pests.  The Agency will reassess the effectiveness of the natural refuge within five years.  (EPA OPP Update, 6/4/07).
• On the last day of May, the Justice Department tentatively approved Monsanto’s purchase of Delta and Pine Land on condition that the companies sell assets related to cottonseed production.  Monsanto would have to sell its Stoneville Pedigreed Seed Company, and Delta and Pine Land would have to sell 20 proprietary cottonseed lines.  (Yahoo!, 5/31/07).