12/15/06 EPA urged to keep spud fungicide

Farm and Ranch December 15, 2006 A soil fungicide used on about one-third of Washington's potato acres has been proposed for cancellation and representatives of Washington's potato industry recently visited the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington D.C. to urge its re-registration. Washington State Potato Commission Executive Director Chris Voigt says the product at issue is PCNB or Blocker. Voigt: "We were back in Washington D.C. to make a strong effort that this is an important chemical to us. It helps us with resistance management. We don't want to rely on just using one fungicide so the more fungicides available the better so that they will continue to work in the future." Voigt assesses how the meeting at EPA went. Voigt: "We had a big job in front of us because again they were trying to cancel this product. But I think the time they spent with us and they asked some very good questions on how we use the product and why it is important to us. So I think we have a shot at keeping it. So we are pretty excited about it. It was a great meeting. They were very receptive. We just have our fingers crossed and hopefully we will have an answer that is favorable to the potato industry." EPA's decision could come early in 2007. Voigt: "Hopefully we will have a decision late January, maybe early spring some time." That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.