PESTICIDE UPDATES (20th October 2010)

Researchers worried by weed resistant ryegrass

Crop tests at Naracoorte have returned important information showing that ryegrass can build resistance to Paraquat. Studies from the university of Adelaide have found the weed is now resist the second most common type of chemical used by crop growers. Dr Chris Preston says the findings could mean farmers would run out of ways to combat weeds. For more information please visit:
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/sa/southeastsa/?site=southeastsa&ref=fb-220-southeastsa-news


Minister criticises Centre’s stand on endosulfan

Forest Minister Benoy Viswam criticised the stand taken by India against global ban on endosulfan at the sixth meeting of Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee to the Stockholm Convention at Geneva last week.“India’s stand was not right. The general consensus at the meeting was in favour of the ban. India should have supported that view,” the Minister said. The Minister said “If you go to Kasaragod, you can see the effect of endosulfan on people. Many of the affected were in such a condition that they could be described as ‘the living dead’.” For more information please visit:
http://flashnewstoday.com/index.php/minister-criticises-centre%E2%80%99s-stand-on-endosulfan-2/



Tanzania: Unga Ltd Factory Produces Fake Pesticides, Fertilizer, Bread

Arusha — When you sow seeds and they do not grow; use pesticides but they kill both the crop and the pests; apply fertilizer and the crop withers, you are probably using counterfeit inputs produced in Unga Limited, a sprawling slum of Arusha city. Same backyard factory also produces bread without any label. The Police in Arusha region on Monday ambushed a factory alleged to manufacture, pack and distribute counterfeit agricultural inputs, including seed varieties, pesticide, herbicide and fertilizers. For more information please visit:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201010181485.html



UN science panel urges ban on widely used pesticide endosulfan that can cause nerve damage

GENEVA — A key U.N. science panel has urged governments to ban the widely used pesticide endosulfan that can cause nerve damage to humans and wildlife. The 31 scientists on the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee want endosulfan placed on a list of chemicals that should be phased out of use. For more information please visit:
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/world/un-science-panel-urges-ban-on-widely-used-pesticide-endosulfan-that-can-cause-nerve-damage-105249518.html



Aldicarb; Notice of Receipt of Request to Voluntarily Cancel a Pesticide Registration
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY - [EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0163; FRL-8848-1]
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.


Purpose: In accordance with section 6(f)(1)of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended, EPA is issuing a notice of receipt of a request by the registrant to voluntarily cancel all of the registrations for aldicarb products held by Bayer CropScience. The request asks for the deletion at various times of aldicarb use in or on citrus, cotton, dry beans, peanuts, potatoes, soybeans, sugar potatoes, sugar beets, and sweet potatoes. Because these uses constitute all the remaining uses of aldicarb, Bayer's request would result in the termination of the last aldicarb product registered for use in the United States. EPA intends to grant this request at the close of the comment period for this announcement unless the Agency receives substantive comments within the comment period that would merit its further review of the request.
For more information please visit: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-25128.htm