EPA Updates Streptomycin Uses on Citrus

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 group 10-10 for two streptomycin sulfate pesticide products. The citrus crop group 10-10 includes orange, tangerine, lime and grapefruit commodities and varieties of these citrus fruits.

On Feb. 5, 2024, the court’s order vacating the 2021 amendments became effective, making it unlawful to sell or distribute AGRI-SEED^TM 50 WP also branded as FireWall^TM 50 WP and EAC^TM Streptomycin Manufacturing Use Product labeled for use on citrus.

On March 4, 2024, EPA issued a Notice of Use Termination and an Existing Stocks Order for Time-Limited Use on Citrus Crop Group 10-10 for these products.

EPA’s order allows for sale and distribution of existing stocks by the registrants for purposes of proper disposal, lawful export or relabeling. For downstream sellers and distributors and end users, EPA’s order is divided geographically because EPA understands that the only use of AGRI-SEED^TM 50 WP on citrus is in Florida.

IMPACT OUTSIDE FLORIDA

In all states except Florida, EPA is permitting sale and distribution of existing stocks of these products already in the possession of growers or in the channels of trade and outside the control of pesticide companies, until May 31, 2024, to accommodate use against fire blight on crops such as pears and apples (which was not impacted by the court’s order). EPA is also prohibiting any use of AGRI-SEED^TM 50 WP on citrus in these states as of the date of the order.

IMPACT IN FLORIDA

In Florida, EPA is only permitting sale or distribution of existing stocks of these products already in the possession of individuals other than the registrants for the purposes of proper disposal, lawful export or return to the registrant. However, because EPA recognizes that there are likely existing stocks of AGRI-SEED^TM 50 WP in the possession of citrus growers, EPA’s order permits use on citrus for the current growing season (until Aug. 31, 2024) provided that the use is consistent with the previously approved labeling ensuring that users must comply with existing labeling protections for human health and the environment.

Source: EPA

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