Florida Farm Bureau calls for grower comments on soil fumigant rules

The Florida Farm Bureau Federation is urging Florida growers to submit comments to the Environmental Protection Agency requesting the agency reevaluate its proposed Reregistration Eligibility Decisions for several important soil fumigants. The EPA has extended the comment period through Oct. 30. American Farm Bureau was successful in calling on the agency to provide increased time for farmers to assess the impact of the new rules.

“Soil fumigants are vital tools for Florida farmers who raise food crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, strawberries, carrots and peppers – all important crops here in Florida,” said Florida Farm Bureau President John L. Hoblick. “An extension of the comment period 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. Without the use of these fumigants, yields would be reduced, the labor needed would be increased and grower profitability would be decreased. Nationwide, 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.

Florida Farm Bureau is concerned that unnecessary restrictions on the continued availability and use of these fumigants will cause significant adverse economic impacts on Florida’s agriculture industry, threatening consumer access to an affordable and safe, domestic, fresh-food supply. The Federal Register notice can be found at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-16266.htm. Additional information about the rule is posted on the agency’s website at http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/reregistration/soil_fumigants.

EPA has indicated that, based on the comments it receives, it may modify the rule or some of the mitigation measures it has published. Farm Bureau will file additional comments to the agency on the rules and their potential impact.

Florida Farm Bureau's Agricultural Policy division has also issued a Policy Bulletin about this asking members to send a message to EPA asking them to reevaluate this proposed rule.