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- There are OP’s then,
there’s Imidan
- There is a lot of talk lately about the so-called gloomy future of organophosphate (OP) insecticides with the catchphrase of “non OP programs.” While IPM programs must be considered, there doesn’t appear to be any silver bullets. In many cases, these softer alternative pest management programs are nearly twice the cost of conventional programs. Not only can they be more expensive, some of the products in these programs are narrower in spectrum and can’t provide sufficient control for various target insects as well as secondary pests.
An abandonment of OP products is not necessary. After completing the EPA reregistration process there are still products that offer economical, broad-spectrum control. Imidan is such a product and is a proven mainstay for broad-spectrum insect control in agriculture. Recently, EPA reregistration decisions of Imidan and azinphos-methyl were published in the same document. However, the results and circumstances for the two products are very different. For Imidan all the agricultural uses remain – no crops were cancelled and none were phased out. There were very minimal changes to the reentry intervals (REIs). For a few crops on the Imidan label the REIs will be reassessed in 2005 but the uses will not go away, with the possibility of REIs increasing. There is some confusion in the marketplace, as Imidan does not have the same restrictions as Azinphos. In fact to the contrary, we are quite pleased with the outcome and we are very appreciative to all the users who communicated to the EPA the need for Imidan. The bottom line is that fruit growers are not at risk of losing Imidan. Gowan Company remains committed to making certain that fruit growers have a usable and flexible tool in Imidan.
Everyone wants to use progressively safer, environmentally friendly products to manage fruit pests. Imidan can fit nicely into this program as the broad-spectrum material, in heavy infestations and as a rotational material to prevent the development of resistance. Additionally, Imidan is one of the few OPs that’s easy on beneficial insects. Therefore, as growers and university personnel search for IPM solutions it makes sense to use Imidan as a vital tool in the programs.
During EPA’s latest assessment in 2001, various grower organizations along with university researchers worked diligently to communicate with EPA on fruit growers’ needs. They reviewed and wrote pages of documents, traveled across the United States and answered countless questions on actual farm practices and use of Imidan. Many growers wrote personal letters to EPA and their congressional delegation. The effort paid off, as Imidan is and will continue to be available to growers with acceptable REIs.
For more information on Worker Protection Standards, Imidan, or other Gowan products, contact Kory Wheeler at (928) 819-1592 or e-mail at kwheeler@gowanco.com.
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