Negotiations Continue on Possible Uses Of Azinphos-Methyl; Label Changes Delayed

Negotiations Continue on Possible Uses of Azinphos-Methyl; Label Changes Delayed

Please read the following information concerning final decisions being made concerning Azinphos-Methyl. This may be the last chance to have a certain crop reinstated on the AZM label. Greggory K. Storey, the Bayer Corporation manager who is named in this message, may be reached at (816) 242-2637 or by e-mail gregg.storey.b@bayer.com. Thank you.

Philip J. Poli
USDA/OPMP
1400 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20250-0315
Telephone: (202) 720-1991
FAX: (202) 720-3191
Date: Tue, 05 Mar 2002 10:27:23 -0500

Tuesday, March 5, 2002

Negotiations Under Way to Preserve Some Uses of Azinphos-Methyl

Negotiations are under way between the Environmental Protection Agency and manufacturers to preserve some uses of the organophosphate pesticide azinphos-methyl that were originally considered unsuitable for reregistration in a November 2001 EPA interim decision, an industry official told Bureau of National Affairs (BNA) March 4.

The negotiations, anticipated to conclude within several weeks, are expected to result in changes to an Office of Pesticide Programs interim reregistration eligibility decision (IRED). An EPA spokesman was unavailable for comment March 4.

In the interim decision, EPA said 28 uses of azinphos-methyl were ineligible for reregistration in order to decrease exposures and protect farmworkers (211 DEN A-14, 11/2/01).

Specifically, the agency said all uses of azinphos-methyl were ineligible for reregistration based on their currently approved labeling. In the interim decision, the agency said it identified conditions under which a limited number of uses of the pesticide could continue under a time-limited registration through Oct. 30, 2005.

The agency also said it would require a phaseout of seven other uses that were of "high benefits," so growers could transition to other means of pest control. Amended labels to comply with the interim decision were due to EPA from registrants by March 4.

The agency weighed risks and benefits in assessing risks posed to workers and the environment under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act in reaching its original decision.

Discussions on Additional Uses Under Way

According to Scott Rawlins, director of government relations and trade at Makhteshim-Agan Industries in New York City, the current negotiations could move several crops off the immediate list of ineligible uses and into other categories.

EPA has not yet issued a data call-in under the interim reregistration eligibility decision, Rawlins said, leaving additional time for discussions.

Although labels for azinphos-methyl were to be submitted to EPA in accordance with the IRED by March 4, EPA granted an extension of time for companies to make the label changes while the negotiations continue, Rawlins said.

So far, it is expected that use of azinphos-methyl on nectarines, plums, prunes, and potatoes would no longer be considered ineligible for reregistration, Rawlins said.

Since November 2001, errors in the interim decision have been identified regarding how azinphos-methyl is used, how often it is used, and the rates of application, Rawlins said.

According to Gregg Storey, Bayer Corp.'s manager of product stewardship in Kansas City, Mo., the crops not on the original ineligible list but those that are on the time-limited registration and phaseout lists are still being considered for changes in discussions between EPA and companies.

These other uses include seven additional crops that would be phased out in four years and eight other crops that would be time-limited to four years.

Bayer agrees that cancellation of the pesticide's use on the crops on the original cancellation list--other than nectarines, plums, prunes, and potatoes--is appropriate, Storey said.

Concerns About Risks to Workers

At a recent advisory committee meeting, public interest advocates expressed concern about EPA's decision not to cancel some uses of azinphos-methyl that they say pose risks to workers (42 DEN A-3, 3/4/02).

Shelley Davis, co-executive director of the Farmworker Justice Fund, told BNA March 4 that worker risks from exposure to azinphos-methyl are "extremely great." She said her organization opposes any additional uses for the pesticide, or shifting of uses from the cancellation list provided in November by EPA.

According to Rawlins, the uses being restored are "critical" for growers, who commented on EPA's interim decision. Rawlins said his company believes the science supports changing the interim decision reached by EPA in November.

The agency issued the IRED on azinphos-methyl because pesticide and other organophosphates cannot be definitively reassessed until EPA examines their cumulative risk as a group of chemicals. That cumulative review is under way now.