UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 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) Return this sheet if you do NOT wish to receive this material ~, or if change of address is needed ~ (indicate change, including zip code). EPA FORM 1510-t (REV. 8-72) R-376 POSTAGE AND FEZES PAID U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENC EPA-335 ------- -2- 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. (more) ------- -3- 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. # # # ------- |