Yuma, Ariz.-based Gowan Co., the product manufacturer, said the IRED does reflect three voluntary cancellations of non-commercial agricultural uses, including household ornamentals, backyard fruit trees and domestic pets.

It also calls for tolerances for nine crops to be reassessed in five years. Those include apples, crabapples, apricots, blueberries, pears, nectarines, peaches, grapes and plums/prunes. The reassessment will be focused on worker risk/benefit analysis.

“The positive results of the phosmet IRED could not have been possible without the continuous support of growers, university personnel, distributors, commodity groups and countless other stakeholders who have worked to educate, inform and communicate with Gowan and EPA regarding their needs and real-life use patterns of Imidan,” the company said in a statement.

“As a result, farmers, workers and professional applicators can continue to use Imidan with confidence.”

Gowan said the IRED prescribes minimal restricted entry intervals for the product’s new label. Products with the current label can continue to be sold by Gowan until June 30, 2002. Product in the channels of trade and grower’s hands can be used with the current label until inventories are depleted.

The IRED is available for review and comment at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/op/phosmet.htm. Comments will be accepted until Jan. 28, 2002.

e-mail: flaws@primediabusiness.com.