April 30, 2007

ISSUE 1164

URGENT CALL ISSUED FOR RESPONSES TO METHYL BROMIDE SURVEY

FFVA’s Environmental & Pest Management Division has circulated a survey to membership in its April 2 bulletin on methyl bromide and its alternative use during the 2006 Control Period.

Since that request was made, the U.S. government has submitted its 2009 Critical Use Nomination for international review. In addition, EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation has now officially noticed solicitation of 2010 Critical Use Nominations.

The baseline information requested in the survey is critical to FFVA’s ability to accurately represent our membership’s interests in both of these arenas. The E&PM Division had set a May 1 deadline in its Bulletin sent to members.

As of April 26, FFVA had received seven responses representing six locations for tomatoes and five locations for strawberry. This level of response is wholly inadequate if FFVA is to develop a response to the questions on the 2008 and 2009 CUEs being reviewed at the international level. Nor is the response adequate to allow FFVA to begin writing petitions for the four crops the E&PM Division needs to characterize for 2010 CUE nominations.

If you have questions or need assistance in completing the survey, please call either Dan Botts or Mike Aerts at (321) 214-5200. If replacement forms are needed please e-mail either Daniel.Botts@ffva.com, Mike.Aerts@ffva.com, or Lucy.Nieves@ffva.com and we will send a copy of the April 2 E&PM Bulletin with the attached forms by e-mail.

We will continue to collect surveys through May 11. FFVA staff will be meeting with the International Review Team for future CUE determinations in Nairobi, Kenya, the first week in June and will need time to compile the information beforehand. The 2010 CUE petitions must be completed and submitted to EPA by July 10.

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