FIFRA Section 18 Specific Emergency Exemption: for use of afidopyropen on field-grown strawberries to control Lygus outbreaks
Summary
SCH Number
2024060843
Public Agency
California Department of Pesticide Regulation
(DPR)
Document Title
FIFRA Section 18 Specific Emergency Exemption: for use of afidopyropen on field-grown strawberries to control Lygus outbreaks
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/19/2024
Document Description
This emergency exemption, which expires October 31, 2024, is necessary to avert significant losses by California strawberry growers due to the lack of effective insecticides available for managing 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 causes 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 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
DPR
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
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Emergency Project
Type, Section or Code
Sec. 21080(b)(4); 15269(b)(c)
Reasons for Exemption
A specific Section 18 emergency exemption from registration is considered an emergency project under CEQA because it can only be issued for situations involving an urgent and non-routine emergency situation where there are no registered pesticides or alternative practices that will effectively address the problem. The loss of effective insecticides to control Lygus infestations in 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 specific emergency finding are attached.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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