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From the Deputy Secretary
As you may know, the Montreal Protocol of 1991 placed methyl bromide in
a category of chemicals defined as contributory to depleting the ozone
layer.
In light of this, the Environmental
Protection Agency initiated action under our Clean Air Act to phase
out use and production of methyl bromide by January 1, 2001.
This chemical is critical to American agriculture and is used extensively
as a soil fumigant and in postharvest storage as well as in quarantine
treatments
to control many pests on various crops.
We have made this issue a high priority because of the potential adverse
impacts on American agriculture. Unless viable alternatives are found,
U.S.
farmers will be at a distinct disadvantage in domestic and international
agriculture and trade when the ban takes effect. A major research effort
is necessary to ensure that American farmers can continue to raise and
market
their crops.
Therefore, USDA has directed a
significant
portion of research resources and expertise to the identification and
development
of substitutes and alternatives to methyl bromide for soil fumigation,
postharvest
protection, and quarantine.
As we continue an aggressive program to ensure that farmers have adequate
alternatives for production and trade uses, we must also ensure that
farmers
are not placed at a competitive disadvantage by the phaseout of methyl
bromide.
We support legislative solutions that meet the needs of American farmers
and prevent competitive disadvantage, while recognizing that continued
progress
on the development of effective and economical alternatives is in the best
long-term interest of agriculture.
The purpose of this newsletter is to keep you abreast of what is happening
as this research progresses and to serve as a link between the researchers
and the agricultural producers, marketers, and consumers. I know that the
methyl bromide issue is of great importance to each of you, as it is to
USDA.
Richard Rominger
Deputy Secretary
[October 1995 Table of Contents]
[Newsletter
Issues
Listing]
[Methyl Bromide Home
Page]
[ARS Home Page]
[USDA Home Page]
Last Updated: October 25, 1996
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Last Modified: 01/30/2002
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