Is there a future for 1,3-dichloropropene and other chemical soil fumigants in European agriculture?

摘要

1,3-Dichloropropene (1,3-D) and other soil fumigants play an essential role in pest control so high yielding, top quality fresh fruits and vegetables can be produced cost effectively. Methyl bromide (MeBr) was formerly the fumigant of choice in European agriculture but following its phase-out, a multi year global research effort concluded on the most effective-ready to use alternatives. Farmers adopted a combination of alternative cultural and chemical pest control methods. Central to MeBr replacement strategies remains the controlled use of alternative soil fumigants to effectively protect valuable crops against pest infestations. 1,3-D is recognised as the most biologically-effective chemical nematicide and thus plays an important role in maintaining European growers' competitiveness in the international market. Currently, fumigants represent the only realistically viable pest control option for most intensive farming systems, at least in the short-mid term, until the next generation of pest control methods become available. As fumigants are assessed for EU registration, several perceived concerns, common to all fumigants, have been raised by regulators. These concerns relate to the products' toxicity and high use rates and consequently no fumigants have yet achieved Annex 1 to Directive 91/414/EEC. 1,3-D was the first fumigant to be assessed under these rules and was not re-registered when initially reviewed in 2007. At the time of non-inclusion the EU Commission and Member States recognised the unprecedented demand for 1,3-D from EU growers, given its critical role in EU agriculture as an alternative to methyl bromide and the product was approved for use in the EU until 20 March, 2009. Since that time several Member States have granted 120 day emergency use registrations for 1,3-D in order meet the continuing needs of EU growers, as no viable alternative exists for nematode control in those Member States. European re-registration for 1,3-D is now being aggressively pursued via the submission of a robust technical dossier, including new studies to address original concerns. A regulatory decision is expected in early 2010. Dow AgroSciences has made substantial investment in a comprehensive product stewardship programme for 1,3-D to help manage any risk associated with its use and ensures its long-term sustainability. The vital role that chemical soil fumigation plays to support economically viable and sustainable agriculture in Europe must be further recognised by politicians and regulatory authorities or EU agriculture risks losing these essential products for ever.