10/27/08 Time running out for fumigant comments

The Environmental Protection Agency's comment period on soil fumigants ends this Friday October 31st. The EPA says field workers and bystanders can suffer ill effects from fumigants methyl bromide, metam sodium, metam potassium, Dazomet and Chloropicrin. That's why the agency is proposing that farmers have among other things a written management plan, buffer zones around treated fields, warning signs, worker protection and training. EPA's Steve Bradbury and his colleagues are telling producers and chemical companies about new soil fumigant labels that will be appearing in early 2010. BRADBURY "So our game plan was to finalize these decisions and then have the year of 2009 to begin with training and other outreach to work towards the transition for implementation in 2010." Some producers don't like the proposed changes, neither do some environmental groups. Bradbury says there's a third group, those who seek solutions. BRADBURY "Yes recognizing that this is going to be challenging and there are some problems to solve but are helping us think through solutions and alternative approaches to insure that the very important benefits of these products are realized while trying to minimize risk to bystanders and workers." Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott