AgroPages-US finalises fumigant figures-Agricultural news

The US EPA has finalised the quantity of the fumigant, methyl bromide, to be available to US growers this year under critical use exemptions. The Agency has authorised the use of 4,813.5 tonnes of methyl bromide, of which 3,083.8 tonnes can be supplied from new production or imports and 1,729.7 tonnes from existing stocks. The minor adjustments from the EPA's August 2007 proposals reflect sales adjustments and updated information on the use of alternatives.

Critical use allowances 2008 (tonnes)

Producer/importer Pre-plant Post-harvest

Chemtura 1,687.4 186.6

Albermarle 693.9 76.7

Ameribrom 383.5 42.4

TriCal 11.9 1.3

Total1 2,776.7 307.1

1 may not add up due to rounding.

The EPA has adjusted its "supply chain factor" (SCF) to 2,717.1 tonnes for 2008. This is the estimated shortfall that could result from a 15-week supply shortage resulting from an unforeseen shut-down of the only US methyl bromide production facility. Some respondents recommended that the SCF should amount to a one-year supply, while others argued against the need for the SCF.