Bayer CropScience agree to phase out Aldicarb by 2014

Bayer CropScience is cooperating with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) following today’s announcement to cancel the registration of Aldicarb, sold as Temik® brand insecticide/nematicide, on potatoes and citrus. Uses on all other crops will remain, but will be phased out over the next few years.

According to the agreement with the EPA, farmers may continue to use existing stocks of Temik® on citrus and potatoes by the end of 2011. Uses on all other crops will be maintained with some additional label changes, until an orderly product phase-out is completed, consistent with the company’s global replacement strategy regarding WHO Class 1 products. Under this strategy, Bayer CropScience plans to discontinue marketing Aldicarb in the US and other markets world wide by 2014.

This decision follows a new dietary risk assessment process recently completed by the Agency. Although the company does not fully agree with this new risk assessment approach, Bayer CropScience respects the oversight authority of the EPA and is cooperating with them. This new assessment does not mean that aldicarb poses a food safety concern.

"For nearly 40 years, Temik® has provided farmers with unsurpassed control of destructive pests, without compromising human health or environmental safety” said Bill Buckner, president and CEO of Bayer CropScience. “We recognize the significant impact this decision will have on growers and the food industry, and will do everything possible to address their concerns during this transition”.

The company will work with farmers and other stakeholders in the distribution chain during this phase-out process.

"Bayer CropScience is committed to bringing new innovation solutions from seed to harvest to growers to ensure we continue to have a safe, abundant and affordable food supply,” said Buckner. “We recognize the loss of this tool to growers and will seek innovative solutions to fill this void.”