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Contact: Glenn Brank 916/445-3974 |
March 27, 2002 (02-09) |
DPR acts to protect compost from herbicide
SACRAMENTO -- The California Department of Pesticide Regulation Thursday will begin cancellation action against 15 herbicide products, citing their potential hazard to compost.
DPR targeted products containing the herbicide clopyralid that are intended for use on residential lawns in California, since green waste from those areas is a common source of compost. DPR will take no action against clopyralid products intended for other areas, including farmland, rangeland, and forests.
Used to control broadleaf weeds, clopyralid is a low-toxicity chemical that poses little hazard to people, animals, and most vegetation. However, research has shown that even low levels of clopyralid in compost can damage some vegetables. Some compost facilities in California recently reported detections of clopyralid.
"In taking this action, DPR reaffirms its support for composting in California," said DPR Director Paul E. Helliker. "Composting helps reduce our waste stream while helping urban gardeners and commercial agriculture. Taking preventive action to eliminate some clopyralid products will protect compost while preserving beneficial uses of this herbicide," said Helliker.
Washington State authorities recently banned some uses of clopyralid after it was linked to compost that damaged tomato plants. No crop damage reports have been confirmed in California. However, DPR holds authority to cancel the registration of any pesticide product when detrimental effects on the environment outweigh benefits.
DPR will send cancellation notices to seven registrants who market 15 clopyralid products. While these products are non-restricted pesticides (no permit required for purchase), they are generally marketed to licensed, professional applicators for commercial use.
The registrants, with affected products in parentheses, are: The Andersons Lawn Fertilizer (Tee Time 18-5-9 With Millennium Ultra Herbicide, United Horticultural Supply Professional Turf Products 22-3-4 With Millennium Ultra, The Andersons Professional Turf Products 16-4-8 With Millennium Ultra Herbicide & PCSCU); Dow AgroSciences LLC (Lontrel Turf and Ornamental, Lawn Fertilizer Plus Confront Weed Control, Turf Fertilizer Contains Confront, Confront); Howard Johnson's Enterprises Inc. (Howard Johnson's Weed & Feed With Millennium Ultra); Lebanon Chemical Corporation (Lebanon Proscape Homogeneous Fertilizer With Confront Herbicide Broadleaf Weed Control); Lesco Inc. (Lesco Momentum Premium Weed & Feed); Monterey Chemical Company (Millennium Ultra Selective Herbicide); Riverdale Chemical Company (Riverdale Millennium Ultra Selective Herbicide, Riverdale Millennium Ultra Weed And Feed, Riverdale Trupower Selective Herbicide, Riverdale XRM-5202 TM Premium Weed And Feed).
All pesticide products used in the United States legally must be registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which dictates product label language, including specific uses. California law requires that any pesticide product approved by U.S. EPA also must be registered by DPR before the product can be used in the state.
DPR's cancellation notice affects the sale and use of clopyralid products in California only. Cancellation could take effect within 30 days, barring a registrant appeal. In lieu of cancellation or appeal, a registrant could voluntarily seek product label changes from U.S. EPA that would eliminate uses that concern DPR.
DPR also announced creation of a clopyralid workgroup that includes members of the compost industry, registrants, the California Integrated Waste Management Board, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and other stakeholders. The workgroup will continue gathering information on clopyralid use patterns, potential pathways of contamination, regulatory options, and other issues.
One of six boards and departments within the California Environmental Protection Agency, DPR regulates the sale and use of pesticides to protect people and the environment.
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