June 12, 2000 Volume 9 No. 13 Update on Pest Management and Crop Development
|
|
LORS-BAN |
(Art Agnello ama4@nysaes.cornell.edu, Entomology, Geneva)
On 8 June, as part of the Clinton Administration's goal of reducing the potential exposure of children to all pesticides, the EPA announced an agreement with Dow AgroSciences to severely restrict the use of all products containing the active ingredient chlorpyrifos, sold in the agricultural market as Lorsban. Although Dow stated that the decision would have a "minimal impact on agriculture", the apple industry will take the biggest hit in the effects on its current pest control practices. The agreement restricts the use of Lorsban 4EC and 50WP/WS in apples to pre-bloom applications only, effective 31 Dec. 2000. The EPA also intends to reduce the tolerance for chlorpyrifos residues in apples, which currently stands at 1.5 ppm. Restricted Entry Intervals (REI's) following treatments of Lorsban on some fruit crops will also be extended, although according to Dow, these are not likely to affect current worker practices in most crops. Additionally, Lorsban 4E (and Lorsban 50W packaged in containers smaller than 25 lbs) will become Restricted Use Pesticides, effective 1 Feb. 2001. For more detailed information on the chlorpyrifos risk issues, documentation can be found at:
