06/20/06 EPA Phasing Out Pesticides

EPA phasing out dangerous pesticide. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. The Environmental Protection Agency is taking public comment on the use of a pesticide that has been in use by fruit growers since the late 1950's. Azinphos-methyl or AZM for short has been suspect for years as poisonous to farm workers and the environment. Enesta Jones a spokesperson with the EPA explains. JONES: It's primarily used on almonds and brussel sprouts, pistachios and walnuts. And so essentially what we announced was that all of those uses will be phased out by 2007 and then the uses on apples, blueberries, cherries, parsley and pears will be phased out by 2010. AZM is an organophosphate pesticide, derived from nerve agents used during World War II to attack the human nervous system. The use of a pesticide could cause dizziness, vomiting, seizures, paralysis, loss of mental function and death. Jones says AZM is only one of many pesticides under scrutiny. JONES: There are a number of pesticides that we are required to evaluate as part of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. There are a total of 9713 that we are supposed to look at by August 3, 2006 to make sure they are meeting current health and safety standards. AZM remains an important product for growers, who must ensure their fruits are clear of codling moths and other quarantine pests to ship them into other markets. In some cases, countries won`t accept fruit that has been treated with newer methods. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.