US gave extra one year for azinphos-methyl stocks consumption

By CnAgri Print The US EPA has published an August 29, 2012, amendment to the agency’s February 20, 2008, cancellation order for the organophosphate insecticide azinphos-methyl (AZM). The amendment provides growers an additional year, through September 30, 2013, to use existing stocks of AZM in their possession on five crops – apples, blueberries, cherries (sweet and tart), parsley, and pears.

As the agency announced in late August 2012, after considering comments from growers and other stakeholders, the EPA completed a final risk-benefit analysis for the remaining uses of AZM. The EPA decided to maintain the September 30, 2012, effective date for cancellation of the remaining crop uses. However, due to unusual weather conditions in 2012 that prevented certain crops from developing, many growers were left with unused stocks of AZM. For this reason, the EPA amended the existing stocks provisions to allow growers to use existing stocks of AZM in their possession on those crops for another year, through September 30, 2013. All the required mitigation measures now reflected on AZM labeling remain in effect during this use. Distribution or sale of AZM after September 30, 2012, remains prohibited as provided in the 2008 cancellation order.