Aug. 15, 2014

This week the EPA announced label changes to methomyl, a restricted-use, broad-spectrum carbamate insecticide used in field crops, alfalfa, and commercial vegetable production.  Methomyl is sold as Lannate®, a product of DuPont™.

The changes will restrict the number of sprays allowed per season on field corn, popcorn and seed corn, cancel use on barley, oat, and rye, and restrict use in wheat to Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

For corn, language will be added to labels to change the timing of applications so that only two applications can occur prior to tassel push, at the 1-2 leaf stage, and applications will no longer be allowed on bare soil. Also, the number of applications for field corn, popcorn, and seed corn will be reduced 25% to 50%.

These changes are due to concerns about potential risks to drinking water from exposure to methomyl. The EPA expects to release the human health and ecological risk assessments for methomyl for public comment in early 2016, according to an Aug. 14 news release. "Additional mitigation measures may be identified as EPA continues its evaluation of this pesticide."

Labels are expected to reflect the new restrictions by the end of 2014.

For more information, see the EPA News Release.