Growers In California’s San Joaquin Valley Must Meet New Pesticide Requirement
March 26, 2014 Prior to purchase, growers of the big three tree nut crops must get written recommendations from their pest control advisers for high volatile organic compound (VOC) formulations.
Pistachio, walnut, and almond growers in California’s San Joaquin Valley planning to use high volatile organic compound (VOC) formulations of the pesticides that contain chlorpyrifos (Lorsban), abamectin (Agri-Mek) or oxyfluorfen (Goal) must first get a written recommendation from their pest control adviser that the high VOC formulation is needed before material is purchased. Other affected crops are alfalfa, citrus, cotton, and grapes.
The requirement, issued by the state Department of Regulation, is in effect from May 1 to Oct. 31 this year. In addition, chlorpyrifos is currently under Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) review, which may affect the availability of this pest control product in the future.
VOCs are gases that can combine with other substances in the air to form ground-level ozone (smog). Ozone can damage lung tissue, cause respiratory illness, and harm farm crops. Statewide, pesticides account for about 2% of all VOCs but in several regions they are among the top 10 sources.
The regulations are designed to keep VOC emissions below a target level from May to October in the San Joaquin Valley. Designated high-VOC products have restrictions on sales and use.
Sales restrictions apply to high-VOC products containing abamectin, chlorpyrifos, gibberellins, or oxyfluorfen that are applied in the San Joaquin Valley.
For details, check out this fact sheet from DPR.
Source: Department of Pesticide Regulation
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