Administration Extends Deadline on Methyl Bromide Ban to 2005

Congress has extended the proposed ban on methyl bromide to 2005, with interim phaseouts. Introduced by Congressman Vic Fazio, the new legislation was proposed as an amendment to the fiscal year 1999 appropriations bill. According to Ken Vick, USDA coordinator for methyl bromide, the new regulations will delay the ban on methyl bromide for 4 years until 2005 instead of 2001, as had been previously mandated under the U.S. Clean Air Act.

“Basically, the new guidelines ensure that regulations governing use, production, import, or export of methyl bromide in the United States be no more stringent or restrictive than those required by the Montreal Protocol,” Vick said.

Under the new amendment to the Clean Air Act, in 1999, U.S. methyl bromide production and importation will be reduced from 1991 levels by 25 percent. There will be additional reductions of 25 percent and 20 percent in 2001 and 2003, respectively. The legislation exempts preshipment and quarantine uses for sanitation and food protection uses. It also allows the production, importation, and use of methyl bromide for critical uses and use by developing countries prior to their 2015 phaseout.

So, U.S. growers will have access to methyl bromide until 2005, but smaller amounts will be available. Since the chemical will be in scarce supply, the law of supply and demand will inevitably raise the price, Vick said.

Last Updated: January 12, 1999