In Focus: Five Questions With Mike Allan

1.) Florida Grower (FLG): Is MIDAS a direct replacement for methyl bromide?

Mike Allan: MIDAS is a broad-spectrum alternative for methyl bromide. It is designed as a drop-in replacement using the same equipment and similar handling procedures. MIDAS is one of the most comprehensively researched compounds introduced to the agriculture market, and its lower application rates reduce the overall pesticide load applied per acre.

Arysta LifeScience is still pursuing registration for MIDAS. Use restrictions do exist currently, as MIDAS is only being used as part of an Experimental Use Permit granted by the EPA in August 2006. We are hopeful that full commercial registration will be granted in 2007.

Background On Bromide

The U.S. obligation under the Montreal Protocol and the requirement under the Clean Air Act was to reduce methyl bromide production and net imports incrementally from the 1991 baseline until the complete phaseout in 2005, except for allowable exemptions agreed upon by the Parties, such as the critical use exemption. Under the Montreal Protocol and the Clean Air Act, the production and import phaseout for methyl bromide followed this schedule:

1993 to 1998 — Freeze at 1991 baseline levels

1999 and 2000 — A 25% reduction from baseline levels

2001 and 2002 — A 50% reduction from baseline levels

2003 and 2004 — A 70% reduction from baseline levels

2005 — A 100% phase out, except for allowable exemptions such as critical use exemptions agreed to by the Montreal Protocol Parties

Since the inception of the CUE program, the U.S. has received approximately 90% of its CUE request. For the 2008 calendar year, the U.S. nominated 23% of baseline. A total of 21% of baseline was authorized at the 18th Meeting of the Parties in November 2006.

2.) FLG: How does MIDAS affect crop yield and quality?

Allan: During the Experimental Use Permit trials, MIDAS yields and quality have been consistent or better than methyl bromide yields at fewer pounds per acre. Growers currently using MIDAS on large-scale field trials in Florida are getting very strong results. In fact, some of these growers are signing up to fumigate even more acreage. MIDAS has proven itself in hundreds of trials to be more effective than any fumigant at lower application rates, providing growers with a technically feasible methyl bromide alternative.

3.) FLG: What preparation do growers need to make to their production practices in order to use MIDAS?

Allan: Broad-spectrum MIDAS uses conventional application equipment and techniques with minimal retooling. No extra equipment is necessary as MIDAS uses conventional equipment and techniques.

To aid growers in more precisely regulating product flow, the makers of MIDAS have developed a computer-controlled dispensing technology called Symmetry that installs easily on existing commercial fumigation application equipment.

4.) FLG: In the crops currentlyplanted in soil fumigated with methyl bromide, which are best served with MIDAS?

Allan: MIDAS is initially targeted for use on tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, ornamentals, turf, trees, vines, and nursery crops.

MIDAS is more effective at fewer pounds per acre than methyl bromide. In fact, hundreds of university and government studies have shown MIDAS to be more effective than any current fumigant at 20% to 30% fewer pounds per acre, at a price per acre that is competitive with that of methyl bromide and is applied in conventional equipment including drip applied applications.

5.) FLG: Is use of MIDAS any more or less safe than methyl bromide?

Allan: As with all agriculture chemicals, proper handling and application is key. Arysta has developed a certified applicators’ training program to ensure the proper application and handling of MIDAS. Additionally, according to EPA published reports, the damage that methyl bromide causes to the ozone layer will result in potentially thousands of additional skin cancer cases. MIDAS does not deplete the ozone layer. The EPA has also said that when properly applied, MIDAS poses no risk as a carcinogen.

Allan is the Global Product Manager for Arysta LifeScience North America Corp.