SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 22, 2010

Media Contact: Brad Berven, (605) 773-4432

Or (800) 228-5254

Carbofuran No Longer Registered in the United States

PIERRE, S.D. –The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revoked the registration of carbofuran, effective Dec. 31, 2009.

Carbofuran is an insecticide and nematacide that was registered to control pests in soil and on leaves in a variety of field, fruit, and vegetable crops.

EPA has concluded that dietary, worker, and ecological risks are unacceptable for all uses of carbofuran.  All products containing carbofuran generally cause unreasonable adverse effects on humans and the environment and do not meet safety standards, and therefore are ineligible for re-registration.

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) provides an unusable pesticide collection program.  Only unusable pesticides, such as carbofuran, are eligible for collection.  Waste pesticides are those where the label uses have been canceled, the product is no longer in usable condition, or the product is unidentifiable and the label is missing, so proper use is impossible.

To participate in the unusable pesticide collection program, please pre-register at http://sdda.sd.gov/Ag_Services/ and click on the ‘Container Recycling and Waste Pesticide Collection Program’ link.

Carbofuran is also known under the trade name, Furadan, and was used on winter wheat, corn, sunflowers, potatoes and alfalfa in South Dakota

EPA reminds growers that carbofuran should not be used on any food crops after Dec. 31, 2009.  Use of carbofuran after that date would result in adulterated food products, which would be subject to appropriate enforcement by the Food and Drug Administration.

Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating more than $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 173,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve the industry for today and tomorrow.  Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov/ .

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