New Rules Proposed for Soil Fumigation: What it Means to You Michael Celetti Plant Pathologist-Horticulture Crops and Denise Beaton Crop Protection

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1 New Rules Proposed for Soil Fumigation: What it Means to You Michael Celetti Plant Pathologist-Horticulture Crops and Denise Beaton Crop Protection Program Lead Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

2 Soil fumigants control soil-borne pests such as pathogens, insects, nematodes and weeds fumigants are volatile chemicals that become a gas at relatively low temperatures Common fumigants used in Ontario include: metam sodium (Vapam HL, Busan 1020, Busan 1236, Engage Agro Enfuse M510), metam potasium (Busan 1180), dazomet (Basamid), dichloropropene (Telone II, Telone C17), chloropicrin (Chloropicrin 100, Pic Plus) Registered as pre-plant soil fumigants for use on a variety of crops

3 All fumigants and registered uses are currently under re-evaluation by Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) At this time PMRA is proposing the following measures to further limit user exposure and to further protect bystanders and the environment as a first step in the re-evaluation The proposed measures are consistent with measures adopted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in their Re-registration Eligibility Decision of fumigants

4 Unfortunately Dow AgroScience has decided that the size of the Canadian market for Telone II and Telone C17 did not justify the costs required to meet the new requirements proposed by PMRA Dow AgroScience has withdrawn Telone II and Telone C17 from the Canadian marketplace Last day to purchase or sell Telone II and Telone C17 will be December 31, 2011 All other current fumigant labels are under review and re-evaluation

5 Most fumigant labels are out of date and required updating Restricted Classification Fumigation Management Plans (new) Label amendments pertaining to: basic hygiene for all end-use products user safety requirements to further protect workers and bystanders (new) Rate Reductions (Basamid, Busan s, Vapam) (new) Clarification of Supported Use (Busan s, Vapam) (new) Application Restrictions Buffer Zone Requirements (new) Good Agricultural Practice requirements the protection of the environment

6 Restricted Classification All soil fumigants will be labelled as Restricted Class Only individuals holding an appropriate pesticide applicator certificate or license can apply these products

7 Fumigation Management Plan Registrants in consultation with the PMRA will prepare a Fumigation Management Plan guidance document Organized, written description of the required steps involved to help ensure a safe, legal and effective fumigation Supervisor fumigant handler responsible for development and implementations of a site specific plan with landowner and other fumigant handler plan must be kept along with monitoring records for 2 years

8 Anyone who: Who is a fumigant handler? participates with the fumigation activity within the fumigated area as well as the proposed buffer zone digs trenches, applies tarps, monitors air inside and outside the perimeter of the buffer zone installs, repairs, operates equipment in the application zone and buffer zone installs, perforates or removes tarps in the fumigated area or buffer zone during the re-entry interval enters the application site or surrounding fumigated area during the re-entry interval to perform scouting, crop advising or monitoring tasks

9 Required Protective Equipment long-sleeved shirt and long pants, chemical-resistant boots and socks, chemical-resistant gloves when handling liquid, chemical-resistant apron when handling liquid protective eyewear (i.e. full-face shield or safety glasses) when handling liquid (NOT goggles)

10 Required Protective Equipment? when a respirator is required, fumigant handlers must wear at a minimum either: a full-face respirator with an organic-vaporremoving cartridge and prefilter approved for pesticides OR a full-face respirator with a canister approved for pesticides air-supplying respirator such as, a respirator connected directly to a clean air source or a selfcontained breathing apparatus (SCBA) ready for use in case of an emergency ~ $2000

11 Buffer Zones an area around the perimeter of each application block where a soil fumigant is applied extending equally in all directions that will not be fumigated may not include agricultural areas owned/operated by persons other than the owner/operator of the application block minimum of 10 m and maximum 800 m size based on registered uses, application rates and application methods specific to each active ingredient, product label and different application methods

12 Buffer Zones increases with rate and size of application zone buildings used for storage such as sheds, barns, garages cannot be in buffer zone unless empty Re-entry period = 120 hours (5 days) after fumigation stops must exclude field workers, nearby residents, pedestrians, and other bystanders from the buffer zone during the re-entry vehicular and bicycle traffic is permitted on public and private roadways through the buffer zone

13 Buffer Zones must not include roads and rights of way may not include residential areas, homes, schools, prisons, businesses etc. unless occupants provide a written agreement to voluntarily evacuate schools, daycare centers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, in-patient clinics, and prisons must be 400 m away from the buffer zones if the buffer zone is greater than 90 m and 200 m away if the buffer zone is less than 90 m unless the site is not occupied during the application and the 36-hour period following the start of application

14 Buffer Zones Example: applying Chloropicrin 100 at 93 L/ha as a broadcast applications, untarped, 75% soil moisture: Application Block Buffer Zone 1 ha (2.5 acres) requires a buffer of 10 m 10 ha (25 acres) requires a buffer of 100 m 30 ha (75 acres) requires a buffer of 200 m

15 Buffer Zones Example: applying Chloropicrin 100 at 93 L/ha as a 30 cm banded applications over rows, untarped, 75% soil moisture with row spacing 1.5 m (5 ft): Application Block 30 cm band over row Buffer Zone actual equivalent rate = 18.6 L/ha 1 ha (2.5 acres) requires a buffer of 10 m 10 ha (25 acres) requires a buffer of 10 m 30 ha (75 acres) requires a buffer of 25 m

16 Buffer Zones Credits 30-70% reduction when certain tarps are used depending upon fumigant 15% reduction when cm of water is applied over the tarp 10% reduction if soil OM is 1-2% 20% reduction if soil OM is 2-3% 30% reduction if soil OM is >3% 10% reduction if clay content is > 27% 10-20% reduction if soil temperature is < 10 o C at 8 cm depth depending on product, application method sum credits but cannot exceed 80% reduction for metam sodium and chloropicrin, 40% for dazomet

17 Additional Conditions weather forecast for the day of fumigation and 48 hour period following must be recorded wind speed must be minimum 3 km/hr at start and/or reach 8 km/hr during application cannot apply if temperature inversion forecasted for 18 consecutive hours within 48 hour period after application has started air monitoring for fumigant gas during application and at least 8 times during re-entry interval DO NOT ENTER signs must be posted at the entrance of the application and buffer zone particularly where public may have access eg trails, roads, etc.

18 Conclusion these are only proposed mitigation measures, however, many will most likely be implemented the use of fumigants will be significantly restricted in the near future OMAFRA has compiled comments and concerns from industry and forward them to PMRA For more information contact: Denise Beaton or Michael Celetti

19 Thank you