UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
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A
51301 Environmental News
Fitzwater (202) 755-0344
O'Neill (202) 755-0344
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1974
EPA APPROVES LIMITED DDT USE ON PEA LEAF WEEVIL
EPA announced today that it has approved a program for
limited use of DDT to control an expected pea leaf weevil
infestation in the States of Washington and Idaho during the
coming growing season. It is expected that the program will
begin within the next few weeks and be completed by June 30, 197 4.
Actual use of DDT will be permitted only where field surveys
verify the existence of infestations that could cause significant
damage to dry pea crops. A number of other restrictions also
are being imposed to ensure that the DDT is properly used and that
complete records of its use are kept. Environmental monitoring
also will be required.
In addition, EPA's approval of the program is contingent
upon an expansion of experimental testing of possible alternative
pesticides. EPA is requiring that the experimental testing
program be designed to identify alternatives that can be registered
for use prior to the 197 5 growing season.
The area in which use of DDT will be permitted accounts for
some 95 percent of total U.S. production of dry peas. The pea leaf
weevil began to appear in this area about three years ago and has
been held responsible for causing significant destruction of
pea crops and reduced yields.
(more)
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Because the pea leaf weevil is a relatively new pest in
the pea-growing area, there has been only limited testing of
other pesticides and very little research on non-chemical control
methods. There is particular uncertainty about the effectiveness
of other pesticides for periods longer than seven to ten days
after treatment and when fields are wet and temperatures relatively
low during the first few weeks of the growing season.
Registration of most uses of DDT was cancelled by EPA in
June 1972 because of the known.and suspected environmental hazards
associated with its widespread use. E-CPA believes, however,
that the proposed limited use of DDT to control the pea leaf
weevil will not have a significant environmental impact if
carried out in accordance with the restrictions that are being
imposed.
Exactly now much DDT will be used will depend largely on
the intensity of the pea leaf weevil infestation. Last year,
when a similar program was undertaken, less than half the total
dry pea acreage was treated. The restrictions being imposed by
EPA this year are more far-reaching and stringent than those
imposed last year.
It is anticipated that the restrictions will include, in
addition to the requirement for field surveys, the following:
1.	Use of DDT will be permitted only for control of pea leaf
weevil and only through June 30, 1974.
2.	DDT treatment will be limited to a single application
regardless of weather and growing conditions.
3.	No technical DDi will be sold or otherwise made available
to growers, dealers, applicators, or other persons or organizations
except the Crop King Chemical Company, which will obtain DDT
from the Montrose Chemical Company and formulate it for use in the
pea leaf weevil control program.
4.	DDT treatment must be made in accordance with all applicable
State laws and regulations.
5.	DDT purchasers will be required to sign a register attesting
that they have read the label and understand it and that they will
use DDT in compliance with all applicable restrictions.
6.	Crop King Chemical Company dealers and applicators will
be required to account for all DDT passing through their hands and
make reports to the States; the latter will be required to make
reports to EPA's Regional Office in Seattle on a bi-weekly basis.
7.	Arrangements for disposal of unused DDT will be subject
to EPA review and approval.
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EPA and State officials will meet early next week in the
affected area to work out the details of the DDT treatment
program and the experimental testing activity.
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