U.S. Pesticide Stockpile Under Scrutiny (methyl bromide)

[jpak]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/tech/2006/nov/03/110306829.html

Nations working to save the earth's protective ozone layer agreed Friday to let the United States use thousands of tons of the pest-killing chemical methyl bromide. They modestly pared the Bush administration's requested allotment of the powerful fumigant, which is banned for all but the most critical uses.

The members of the Montreal Protocol, meeting in New Delhi, India, spared the United States steeper cuts that were recommended by the treaty's own technical panel. The decision applies to methyl bromide use for 2008 on American crops such as strawberries, peppers and tomatoes.

The United States sought approval for nearly 7,100 (6,415 metric tons) of methyl bromide. The nations settled on just over 5,900 tons (5,356 metric tons). Despite the existence of U.S. stockpiles far exceeding that amount, the treaty members said chemical companies can meet the need by manufacturing more than 5,000 tons (4,595 metric tons) of new methyl bromide, said Michael Williams, spokesman for the meeting. The stockpiles would be drawn down to meet the rest of the agreed-on use.

The United States and other countries signed the 1987 Montreal Protocol promising to end methyl bromide's use in wealthy countries by 2005. Developing countries have a longer timeline to phase it out.

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