streptomycin

EPA Updates Streptomycin Uses on Citrus

Daniel Cooper Legal, Pesticides

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on March 3 provided an update on streptomycin uses on citrus. The update followed the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ December 2023 decision that vacated the 2021 registration amendments for streptomycin because of the agency’s failure to comply with the Endangered Species Act. The 2021 amendments added a time-limited use on citrus crop …

chlorpyrifos

Update on Chlorpyrifos Use

Daniel Cooper Pesticides, Regulation, Tip of the Week

By Brett Bultemeier, Mike Aerts and Lauren Diepenbrock On Dec. 28, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit revoked a previous decision related to chlorpyrifos tolerances for food. Chlorpyrifos is a broad-spectrum insecticide used in a variety of crops, including citrus. The original decision revoked all food tolerances, whereas this new ruling essentially reinstates them. This means …

california

New Neonicotinoid Regulations in California

Tacy Callies California Corner, Pesticides, Regulation

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) has adopted new regulations to protect pollinators from the hazards associated with exposure to neonicotinoid pesticides containing the active ingredients clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam. The regulations affect the application of these pesticides on certain food and feed crops, including citrus. Product labels will not be updated with these requirements. CDPR suggests that …

Court Disallows Use of Streptomycin on Citrus

Tacy Callies Legal, Pesticides

The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Dec. 13 reversed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval of the antibiotic streptomycin as a pesticide on citrus crops. See the ruling here. The court determined the EPA’s 2021 decision to allow spraying of streptomycin on citrus crops across the country to be unlawful under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act …

pesticide resistance

Preventing Pesticide Resistance

Daniel Cooper Pesticides, Pests

By Lourdes Pérez Cordero Insects in general are often thought of as pests. Although some organisms of the class Insecta can become harmful to important agricultural crops, not all insects should inherently be considered pests. A pest can be any organism that competes, injures, or spreads diseases to humans, domestic animals and desired plants. Historically, humans have utilized chemical mixtures …

court

EPA Ban of Chlorpyrifos Overturned by Court

Josh McGill Legal, Pesticides

The federal Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals on Nov. 2 ruled the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) failed to follow the law when it revoked chlorpyrifos tolerances — effectively banning the pesticide. “Its (EPA’s) decision was arbitrary and capricious … so we grant the petitions for review and vacate its order,” the court stated. See the court’s ruling here. The American …

citrus forecast

FFVA Endorses Glyphosate Renewal in Europe

Josh McGill International, Pesticides, Regulation

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) recently submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service endorsing the European Union’s (EU) 10-year registration renewal efforts for glyphosate. In the letter, FFVA stressed that glyphosate herbicide has been used safely and successfully in Europe for more than 40 years. It noted that leading health regulators, including in Europe, the …

Fundecitrus Addresses Issues With Psyllid Insecticides

Josh McGill Brazil, HLB Management, Pesticides

The resistance of HLB-spreading psyllids to some insecticides and the low effectiveness of insecticides applied via drench to control psyllids were recently addressed by Fundecitrus researchers. RESISTANCE OF PSYLLIDS Fundecitrus professionals participated in a meeting of the Brazilian Insecticide Resistance Action Committee. They were researcher Marcelo Miranda and agricultural engineer and postdoctoral fellow at Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture/University of …

Biopesticide Products Patented

Josh McGill Pesticides

Research by Rhodes University PhD graduates Tamryn Marsberg and Michael Jukes has led to the patent of two viral-based products. MultiMax and CodlMax are alternatives to chemical pesticides on citrus, apples and litchi. The advantage of these products includes their lack of non-target effects; the pest is controlled without harming the environment. The products could assist with control of the …

Psyllid Resistance to Organophosphates Begins in Brazil

Josh McGill HLB Management, Pesticides, Psyllids

Research has confirmed the initial phase of resistance of the HLB-spreading psyllid to the active ingredient malathion in some microregions of the citrus belt of São Paulo and Triângulo/Southwest Mineiro. Malathion is from the organophosphate chemical group. The research was conducted by Fundecitrus in partnership with Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture/University of São Paulo (Esalq/USP). This is the third …

streptomycin

FFVA Endorses Aldicarb Registration

Josh McGill Florida, Pesticides

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in support of the proposed federal registration of aldicarb on Florida oranges and grapefruit. “Prior to the business-strategy decision by the previous registrant to voluntarily remove aldicarb from the market in 2010, this insecticide was considered a cornerstone of immediate and long-term sustainable production …

A Guide to Safe, Effective Pesticide Use

Josh McGill CEU, Pesticides

By Danielle S. Williams Editor’s note: This article grants one continuing education unit (CEU) in the Core category toward the renewal of a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services restricted-use pesticide license when the accompanying test is submitted and approved. Pesticides are vital tools in agriculture that help protect crops from pests and diseases. Pesticide use must be managed …

Another Attempt to Bring Back Aldicarb

Josh McGill Pesticides

Pesticide-maker AgLogic has asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to approve use of the pesticide aldicarb on Florida oranges and grapefruit, the Center for Biological Diversity reported. The center, which opposes the approval, says it is dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. The EPA approved a similar aldicarb request in the waning days of the Trump …

Citrus Agent Discusses Oxytetracycline Hydrochloride Products

Josh McGill HLB Management, Pesticides

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) multi-county citrus Extension agent Ajia Paolillo recently provided information about two commercial oxytetracycline hydrochloride products approved for use against HLB. TJ Biotech LLC was the first company to receive approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for trunk injection of this formulation. EPA granted TJ Biotech a Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, …

Campaign Promotes Best Neonicotinoid Practices

Josh McGill Pesticides

Growing Matters has kicked off its annual BeSure! campaign to promote best stewardship practices when using neonicotinoid products. Using a wide range of media channels, the campaign reminds growers, crop protection applicators and others to follow label directions to minimize any potential impact on pollinators and other wildlife.  Since its inception in 2019, the BeSure! campaign is estimated to have …

Rectify Injection Available for HLB in Florida

Josh McGill HLB Management, Industry News Release, Pesticides

Rectify, AgroSource, Inc.’s 95% oxytetracycline hydrochloride-based tree-injection product, is expected to be available for use against HLB in Florida citrus as early as Feb. 24. The product will be available to growers through existing commercial agricultural product distributors. AgroSource petitioned and received a Special Local Needs (SLN) approval for Rectify by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) …

Key Terms to Know When Using Pesticides

Josh McGill CEU, Pesticides

By Ajia Paolillo Editor’s note: This article grants one continuing education unit (CEU) in the Core category toward the renewal of a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services restricted-use pesticide license when the accompanying test is submitted and approved. As a certified restricted-use pesticide applicator, it is your responsibility to use pesticides safely, not only for yourself but for …

Legal Arguments Start Over Streptomycin in Citrus

Josh McGill Legal, Pesticides

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals was scheduled to hear oral arguments in late January challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval of the antibiotic streptomycin as a pesticide on citrus crops. The lawsuit, brought by farmworker and public-interest groups, argues the use of streptomycin on citrus crops is unlawful under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and …

Guidelines for ReMedium TI Use

Josh McGill HLB Management, Pesticides

Trunk injection of the oxytetracycline hydrochloride formulation ReMedium TI for HLB treatment was given final clearance Jan. 11. The product began moving into the Florida citrus industry that same day. Consequently, the product’s manufacturer and the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation both issued reminders and recommendations about the product’s use. Manufacturer TJ BioTech, LLC suggested the following things …

Ever-Changing MRLs for Fresh Citrus Exports

Josh McGill Export, Pesticides

By Mark A. Ritenour Modern production practices for fresh fruits and vegetables usually include the use of various preharvest and postharvest chemicals, some of which are pesticides. Legally, these materials must be labeled for use on specific crops and may only be used according to label instructions. Chemical residues on fruits and vegetables are monitored by industry and regulators to …