(GAINESVILLE, Fla.) - An intergovernmental meeting on the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer has granted limited “critical use exemptions” to 11 developed countries facing a year-end deadline for phasing out methyl bromide. This action will allow farmers in the United States an additional year to use the compound.
"To date methyl bromide is the most effective fumigant to kill weeds, nematodes and soil-borne diseases," said Carl Loop Jr., president of Florida Farm Bureau Federation, "and banning its use would be detrimental to Florida agriculture, especially our fruit and vegetable producers."
The United States succeeded in obtaining approval for its 2005 critical use request, which amounted to 35 percent of its 1991 baseline use of methyl bromide. Of that amount, a maximum of 30 percent could be covered by new production of the chemical. The remaining 5 percent is expected to come from drawdowns from existing inventory.
In 1987 various countries agreed to phase out use of methyl bromide use by 2005 in developed countries and 2015 in developing countries if technically and economically feasible alternatives could be developed by that time. That has not happened, and methyl bromide remains an essential compound for important crops such as tomatoes, strawberries, melons, peppers, cucumbers and flowers in states such as Florida, Georgia and California.
"Unless viable alternatives are found, U.S. farmers and other users will be at a disadvantage when competing with agricultural products produced in developing countries where methyl bromide will continue to be available for several years after the U.S. phase out," said Ray Hodge, national affairs coordinator for Florida Farm Bureau Federation.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service is actively seeking alternatives. To date, there is no known single alternative fumigant, chemical or other technology that can readily substitute for methyl bromide in efficacy, low cost, ease of use, wide availability, worker safety and environmental safety below the ozone layer. Research by the USDA indicates that multiple alternative control measures will be required to replace the many essential uses of methyl bromide. For preplant uses, such measures include combinations of fungicides, herbicides and insecticides as well as other fumigants.
"We are encouraged that the United States has been given a critical use exemption," Loop said. "It is our hope that an effective alternative can be found. Otherwise, we will see significant losses in vegetable crop acreage, per-acre production and market share to our international competitors."
Other countries exempted from the ban include Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom.
The Florida Farm Bureau Federation is the state's largest general-interest agricultural association with more than 151,000 member-families statewide. There are Farm Bureaus in 61 counties in Florida, where agriculture comprises a stable, vital leg of Florida's economy, rivaling the tourism industry in economic importance. Headquartered in Gainesville, the Federation is an independent, non-profit agricultural organization and is not associated with any arm of the government. More information is available on the organization’s website, http://FloridaFarmBureau.org.
Florida Farm Bureau Federation