08/19/08 EPA buffers to be discussed at soil fumigant stewardship meetings

Washington Ag August 19, 2008 As part of the reregistration process of soil fumigants the Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed several measures to protect agricultural workers and bystanders. EPA's director of special review and reregistration, Steven Bradbury, says the mitigation measures include buffers. Bradbury: "In general the buffer zones can range from 100 feet to several hundred feet. Again depending upon the specific fumingant, the application technique and the application rate." The soil fumigant metam sodium is used to control a serious pest of potatoes and the Washington State Potato Commission says the EPA's proposal on buffers has the potential to cut the state's potato industry in half. The Potato Commission is urging growers to attend the annual soil fumigant stewardship meetings this week at which an EPA representative will be explaining this new proposal. One meeting is being held Wednesday, August 20th at the Pasco Red Lion beginning at 8 a.m. Another is being held Thursday, August 21st at the Best Western in Moses Lake beginning at 8 a.m. If you plan to attend you are asked to RSVP to Ryan Rosiak at 509-994-3273. The EPA's proposal on soil fumigants is not expected to take effect until 2010. I'm Bob Hoff.