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PA NEW REDUCED RISK CONVENT. PESTICIDES UNDER FOOD QUAL. ACT

Release Date: 02/28/97
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PA NEW REDUCED RISK CONVENT. PESTICIDES UNDER FOOD QUAL. ACT

FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1997

EPA REGISTERS NEW REDUCED-RISK CONVENTIONAL PESTICIDES UNDER FOOD QUALITY PROTECTION ACT

EPA recently registered two new reduced-risk conventional pesticides and a new use of an existing reduced-risk conventional pesticide. The Agency gives registration preference to reduced-risk pesticides as a way of encouraging the development of pesticide products that pose less risk to public health and the environment. The registrations for these pesticides are conditional and the tolerances are time-limited. While the data bases for these pesticides are essentially complete, supplemental confirming data are being required. Spinosad, a new active ingredient for use on cotton (includes cottonseed oil and animal feed items) to control insects, is the first reduced-risk food use pesticide registered under the Food Quality Protection Act. It was registered on Feb. 14, to control the tobacco budworm, cotton bollworm, cotton leafperforator, European corn borer, armyworms, loopers, saltmarsh caterpillar, and thirps. Spinosad is biologically derived by fermentation of the soil bacterium Saccharopolyspora spinosa. It has a unique mode of action against insect pests and is the first of a new class of spinosyn products developed for commercial use. It can be applied aerially or by ground equipment and has low application rates. There are no acute or chronic levels of concern exceeded for mammals, birds, terrestrial and freshwater aquatic and estuarine organisms; it is highly toxic to bees; it photo degrades rapidly in the field. The new product is unlikely to leach into most soils and poses little threat to groundwater. Spinosad is registered by Dow Elanco of Indianapolis, Ind. Azoxystrobin (trade name Heritage), was registered on Feb. 7, and is a new fungicide for use on golf courses and commercial turf to control Brown Patch, Pythium Blight and Melting Out (Leaf Spot). It does not control Dollar Spot. It is the first of a new class of pesticide compounds called Bmethoxyacrylates which are derived from the naturally occurring strobilurins. Strobilurins are organic compounds produced by some naturally occurring European fungi. They function by inhibiting the electron transport of other potentially competitive fungi. It has low application rates and longer intervals between applications than most alternatives. The broad control spectrum and new mode of action should make it a likely candidate for use in resistance management. It is labeled for use in integrated pest management programs. According to EPA risk assessment, this product has no acute risk levels of concern for birds, mammals, and bees, and is highly toxic to fish and marine life. Zenca Ag products of Wilmington, Del., is the registrant.

EPA also registered a new use of the pesticide fludioxonil (trade name Maxim 4FS) for application as a fungicide in greenhouses on ornamental plants grown in containers. It is most effective against Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Helminthosporium, and most saprophytic fungi. Fludioxonil was first registered in l995 as a seed treatment to control certain soil-borne and seed-born diseases of corn and sorghum. A reduced-risk pesticide, this product is derived from a natural antibiotic pyrrolnitrin which is produced by many soil inhibiting

bacteria within the genus Pseudomonas. The greenhouse applications will be for non-food uses. EPA determined in l995 that the use of this pesticide did not pose dietary or applicator risks. The pesticide is practically non-toxic to birds, small mammals, and honey bees. It is moderately to highly toxic to aquatic organisms. However, because of the low application rate, the residual levels in water residues is expected to be minimal. Novartis Crop Protection, Inc. (Ciba-Geigy/Sandoz) of Greensboro, N.C., is the registrant.

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