Samantha Simmons

November 13, 2006

Last Friday, the U.S. won approval for a 5,900 ton exemption for the use of methyl bromide in 2008. The original request was for 7,100 tons of the chemical. The U.S. will be permitted this amount without having to dip into their stockpiles of the pesticide, reaching nearly 11,000 tons. In response to criticism regarding the stockpiles, the U.S. said the stockpiles were in existence before the ban took effect. Under the exemption, farmers will use the pesticide to kill soil pests that threaten tomato, strawberry, and other crops.

Methyl bromide was banned under an international treaty, the Montreal Protocol, two years ago due to concerns that it depletes the ozone layer. The Montreal Protocol works to phase out substances that deplete the ozone layer. The treaty partners' decision to grant the U.S. an exemption to the rule is in direct opposition to concerns of the treaty's own technical committee and many European nations. The technical committee urged an even greater cut in the U.S.' request because other countries have proved that alternative methods and chemicals can successfully replace methyl bromide. One Swedish delegate criticized the U.S. for "undermining the spirit of the Montreal Protocol and setting a bad example for other countries."

For more information see:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/03/AR2006110300489.html

http://www.nrdc.org/news/grist/Monday.asp

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/291107_ozone04.html