Release No. 0378.00

of
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Rich Rominger
International Conference on Controlled
Atmospheres and Fumigation
Fresno, California - October 30, 2000

"Importance of Developing Alternatives to Methyl Bromide for Commodity and Quarantine Treatments"

      "Thank you very much. My thanks to the Permanent, Scientific, and Organizing Committees for their efforts in presenting the 2000 Conference. A special word of appreciation to our host, the Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory of the Agricultural Research Service ... to the California commodity groups and ARS Office of Technology Transfer which have given their support ... and to our international guests for exploring with us one of the most daunting scientific challenges of our time, with ramifications for produce industries and markets worldwide.

      "Probably no area feels the implications of the methyl bromide issue more strongly than right here in Fresno, heart of one of the most extensive and diverse agricultural regions in the world. From this area comes over half of the U.S. production of fresh fruits and vegetables and dried fruits and nuts. The methyl bromide issue hits California squarely in the pocketbook ... as the top vegetable-producing state, the top fruit-producing state, and the national leader in exports of fruit and tree nuts.

      "In the short term, if there were no substitutes, the loss of methyl bromide could cut net farm income in California by more than $288 million each year, with the greatest hurt felt by growers of strawberries, nursery products, and grapes. Florida fruit and vegetable growers could lose more than $600 million annually for the winter growing season alone, with the ripple effect showing up in a $1 billion-dollar sales loss and more than 13,000 jobs lost.

       "Effects of the methyl bromide phase-out affect trade. They affect domestic and global markets, and the paramount issue of world food security. This is a clear example that as we enter the 21^st century, agriculture is one of the deepest ties among the world's nations, connecting them to a shared future in ways that are more complex and profound than ever before. The way we handle those connections and the choices we make will affect the future of our farmers ... our economies ... and our ability to feed growing world populations.

      "Earlier this month, I had the great honor of hosting Jacques Diouf, Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, at the University of California, Davis. We spoke about choices that must be broad and wise enough to balance economic motivation with environmental concern. We spoke of world food security and the challenge of achieving it while sustaining the resources of the planet we all call home. I thanked Dr. Diouf for his efforts in promoting science-based standards in the FAO's work.

ADMINISTRATION'S COMMITMENT

      "Science is at the core of the intense, ongoing research partnership - federal, state, university, and private scientists working together to develop alternatives that are practical, effective, economical, and environmentally-friendly. This is among USDA's highest priorities. Methyl bromide is key to so many aspects of agriculture - from soil to post-harvest fumigation - that research is critical to keeping farmers in business and products in the pipeline.

      "And this Administration recognizes that our producers need to lean on a constantly-improving science and research base, both to contribute to a food-secure world and take full advantage of market opportunities. We are deeply committed to agricultural research and to using research to meet unprecedented needs for new knowledge and technology. We're also committed to making that research as practical as possible.

      "That commitment shows in the numbers. We have a yearly appropriation of about $14.8 million for ARS methyl bromide research - that's about 41 scientist-years. This year, on top of that, we pushed for - and got - another $620,000 for research work. The Commodity Credit Corporation spent $800,000 last year to test propargyl bromide so we can move along registration of this promising alternative. And our Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service supported $2.8 million in activities last year. This includes the Methyl Bromide Transition Program, a new $2 million competitive program to discover and implement practical pest management alternatives.

      "But research is just one part of the methyl bromide story. The complex and expensive review of alternatives by the Environmental Protection Agency is a key step in the process. And - perhaps most important - alternatives must find acceptance with growers and other users. Like a complicated puzzle, if any one of these pieces is missing, the alternatives don't come together as a whole picture ... a practical, available technology. While possible alternatives have been identified for some important methyl bromide uses, there are troubling unknowns ... like long-term reliability and practicality. Some industries, like cut flowers, have no alternatives at this time.

      "Last year, Congress and President Clinton brought the phase-out timetable for the U.S. in line with other developed countries, extending the complete phase-out of methyl bromide until 2005. They made some key exemptions for quarantine and pre-shipment, and provided critical use and emergency exemptions in cases where we don't have satisfactory alternatives.

THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE RESPONSE

      " For USDA's Agricultural Research Service - one of the most prestigious research bodies in the world -- finding methyl bromide alternatives is at the top of our priority list. We're working closely with states and industries -- including the Crop Protection Coalition -- to meet both soil and post-harvest fumigation needs. Ongoing research at 20 locations is dedicated to providing producers practical, workable alternatives.

      "In 1999, we met with growers and methyl bromide users in Florida and California to review our research program. We wanted to hear from them ... learn from them whether we're putting our focus on the highest priority problems.

      "In the years 2000 and 2001, research continues in several directions - on chemical, new application technology, and on non-chemical alternatives to methyl bromide. Our eyes are on the clock. The ban is approaching. Crop years are short, and research takes time ... time to grow out a crop to prove an alternative in the fields. Our goal is to meet that deadline with effective, practical and economical replacements.

      "Toward that goal, we've taken several actions. ARS and EPA have established a Methyl Bromide Working Group to take stock of regulatory issues and resolve obstacles that prevent registered chemicals from replacing methyl bromide. This Group has made several pesticide label changes that will help farmers facing the loss of methyl bromide.

"In 1998, IR-4 began studying the issue for its impact on tomato and strawberry production when methyl bromide is phased out. The emphasis is discovery and development of safe products and new technologies to fill the void. We're working with standard products now is use to control the same spectrum of pests as methyl bromide. And IR-4 is looking as well at new, unregistered products as methyl bromide alternatives

for strawberries and tomatoes.

      "On the technology transfer end, we're spending almost $500,000 each year to support demonstration tests of the most promising alternatives in grower fields in California and Florida. We use normal farming practices and collaborate with university partners. We meet and talk with growers and other methyl bromide users so we're in sync on alternatives for specific crops. The Methyl Bromide Newsletter, issued quarterly, gets out the word on the most recent research findings. And we work closely with EPA and pesticide registrants to resolve regulatory issues that are stumbling blocks in the path of promising alternatives.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND GOALS

      "And our efforts are paying off.

      On Friday, I had the good fortune to attend the dedication of the San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Science Center, in Parlier, California. This is a $28 million state-of-the-art facility on 125 acres. It also represents a partnership we're very proud of. In fact, the energy that exists between ARS and the University of California was a key factor in our decision to invest in this facility. We regard this as a government-university-industry commitment to science and technology that will give farmers the foundation they need to compete and prosper in the global market.

      " In the past few years, the Horticultural Crops Lab at Parlier has moved methyl bromide research to some new levels. A trapping and recycling system in commodity fumigation chambers can reduce atmospheric emissions by over 90 percent. This process offers growers, processors, and packers the chance to continue using methyl bromide.

      "A University of California scientist, in research sponsored by ARS, has come up with some alternatives as effective as methyl bromide in controlling Verticillium wilt in California strawberry nurseries. This is a great step, but developing treatments covering the entire spectrum of nursery pests is critical to producing strawberries profitably in California

.

      "Across the country, scientists with our Tifton, Georgia facility, working with the University of Georgia, have demonstrated effective controls of root-knot nematodes and soil- borne diseases.

      "Our scientists around the nation are exploring postharvest uses that will maintain the quality of durable commodities and provide new quarantine treatments that would maintain export markets.

      "Here in Fresno, ARS scientists are at the forefront of technology using drip irrigation to apply alternatives like Telone in commercial-scale strawberry production. Results are very promising. Yields approach those achieved with methyl bromide, and trials are underway for other crops.

      "Fresno researchers are also looking to the possibilities of cold treatment in an integrated pest management system as an alternative to methyl bromide fumigation ... and to the promise of granulosis virus on stored nuts.

      "ARS and University scientists are evaluating propargyl bromide for strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, ornamentals and other crops. This is arguably the most promising methyl bromide alternative. Not only does it have more activity than methyl bromide, but farmers can use it in exactly the same way. One company has recently expressed interest in registering propargyl bromide, and I can assure you that USDA is working to move that registration along.

      "This kind of partnership with registrants to come up with practical, workable alternatives through the regulatory process is right up there with research on the priority list.

      "The burden and responsibility for methyl bromide alternatives do not, and cannot, rest solely at the feet of research. Like a three-legged stool, research is one strong support. But product manufacture and marketing is fundamental, and we'll go nowhere if farmers can't use and don't accept the product.

       "The ultimate solution is a true partnership among the regulatory community, the corporate sector, and farmers themselves. Once the research is developed, promising alternatives still have a regulatory and marketing gamut to run. USDA is dedicated to this complex process, and we look to all parties to be flexible, open-minded, and adaptive as we work together to present growers with the full range of options they need to keep agriculture prosperous in the 21^st century marketplace. Thank you."

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