EPA has also revised certain provisions of the 2006 Re-Registration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the organic arsenical pesticides — which include MSMA.

In the 2006 RED, EPA concluded that all uses of the inorganic arsenicals were ineligible for re-registration primarily because of risks to drinking water resources. Additional data received since 2006 supported a decision to allow re-registration of MSMA for use on cotton only, contingent on the development of confirmatory data.

In February, EPA reached an agreement in principle with the registrants which, over time, removes from the market all organic arsenical pesticide uses, except the use of MSMA on cotton, for which confirmatory data must be received by August 2010. The agreement also implements new restrictions to protect drinking water resources.

For more information, see the Federal Register notice announcing these revisions at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-EST/2009/May/Day-06/p10330.htm.

e-mail: flaws@farmpress.com