Farm Compliance

Washington, DC - The Americ an Farm Bureau Federation commended the Environmental Protection Agency for extending the comment period on the agency ’s re-registration decisions for soil fumigants. AFBF was successful in calling on the agency to provide increased time for farmers to assess the impact of the new rules, and the agency announced on August 28 that it would extend the deadline to October 30.

“Soil fumigants are vital tools for many farmers who raise food crops such as potatoes, tomatoe s, strawberries, carrots and peppers, ” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “An extension of the comment period regarding new restrictions gives growers an enhanced opportunity to present their side of the story, including the possible impacts on food prices and supplies, and to suggest modifications to the proposed rules. ”

The rule on soil fumigants pertains to such pesticides as Chloropicrin, Dazomet, Metam, sodium/potassium and methyl bromide. Fumigants are used to control a wide range of pests including ne matodes, fungi, bacteria, and weeds, primarily in specialty crops, such as vegetables, fruits and nuts. The production of those food crops is expected to be valued at more than $40 billion in 2008. This will amount to 22 percent of the value of crops grown  this year.

Initially, the agency gave the public until September 15 to comment. However, AFBF filed a request with EPA to extend the comment deadline in order to provide agricultural producers more time to analyze  the re-registration ruling and suggest amendments. EPA has indicated that, based on the comments it receives, it may modify the rule or some of the mitigation measures it has published. AFBF will file additional comments to the agency on the rules and the ir potential impact.