FIFRA Section 18 Crisis Emergency Exemption: for use of afidopyropen on field-grown strawberries to control Lygus outbreaks
Summary
SCH Number
2024050902
Public Agency
California Department of Pesticide Regulation
(DPR)
Document Title
FIFRA Section 18 Crisis Emergency Exemption: for use of afidopyropen on field-grown strawberries to control Lygus outbreaks
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/20/2024
Document Description
This time-limited crisis emergency exemption is necessary to avert significant losses by California strawberry growers due to the lack of effective insecticides available for managing unexpectedly early and exceptionally large and difficult to control Lygus bug infestations on field-grown strawberries. In previous years, to reduce losses from fruit deformity due to damage from Lygus infestations, California strawberry growers relied on applications of thiamethoxam, a neonicotinoid pesticide, as a key component in a scheduled rotation of different insecticides. However, due to recently adopted California regulations to limit neonicotinoid pesticide use in the production of certain agricultural commodities, growers are losing access to critical applications previously used for managing Lygus infestations. Furthermore, due to the increasing numbers of pyrethroid-resistant Lygus populations, growers are experiencing difficulties managing Lygus infestations using available pyrethroid insecticides. In California, damage caused by Lygus is a major cause of irregularly shaped, catfaced strawberries, which results in unmarketable fruit. As a result, Lygus can cause an estimated $100 million in crop loss annually. California strawberry growers have a critical need for an additional tool with a different mode of action. Allowing the use of Sefina Inscalis Insecticide will help California strawberry growers control Lygus through the strawberry growing season. Please see attachment for additional information.
Contact Information
Name
Tulio Macedo
Agency Name
Department of Pesticide Regulation
Job Title
Branch Chief
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Monterey, Orange, San Benito, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Ventura
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
Strawberry fields in Monterey, Orange, San Benito, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Ventura counties
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Emergency Project
Type, Section or Code
Sec. 21080(b)(4); 15269(b)(c)
Reasons for Exemption
A crisis Section 18 emergency exemption from registration is considered an emergency project under CEQA because it can only be issued when there is an immediate need for an exemption from registration for situations involving an unpredictable emergency situation when the time from discovery of the emergency to the time when the pesticide use is needed is insufficient to allow for the authorization of an exemption from registration through normal means. The loss of effective insecticides to control Lygus infestations on field-grown strawberries due to both regulatory action and increasing concerns regarding pest resistance is sudden and unexpected, presents clear and imminent danger, and demands immediate action to prevent loss of property. DPR's analysis and the U.S. EPA FIFRA Section 18 crisis emergency finding are attached.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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