One of the last organochlorine insecticides, endosulfan, has been undergoing a cancellation and phase-out over the past several years. This phase-out/cancellation will be complete by July 31, 2016. Many growers are familiar with this product under its former names of Thiodan and Golden Leaf, but its current names include Thionex and Endosulfan. Under an agreement with the EPA, it is being voluntarily phased out and uses cancelled. Under this agreement, various uses will be terminated at specific times. When each of these termination dates passes, it will be unlawful to use these products for those specific uses. The reason for cancellation is due to unacceptable risks to farm workers and the environment, as well as persistence in the environment.
The next termination date is July 31, 2015 when use on eight crops will be eliminated. The phase-out/cancellation schedule is as follows:
Group E Uses (7/31/15 termination) |
Group F Uses (7/31/16 termination) |
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By Ric Bessin, Extension Entomologist