The National Onion Association announced on Aug. 16 that growers who “are stuck with their supplies of the herbicide Dacthal will not be stuck with their stores of the chemical much longer.”
In an August 6 announcement, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the emergency suspension of all registrations of the pesticide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA or Dacthal) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
According to the NOA, AMVAC, which makes the herbicide, “has promised to refund growers and retailers affected by the sudden EPA recall. The NOA wants to ensure that this recall does not cost growers money, and leadership will continue to monitor the situation with the EPA.”
The NOA said a letter to retailers from AMVAC said the company “wants to organize as an orderly and efficient collection as possible.” AMVAC continued, “We would appreciate your feedback as to when you believe the product would be ready for collection and be a convenient time for us to make the pickup.”
The NOA went on to say, “AMVAC reports that any produce that has been treated prior to Aug. 2 can still be harvested and sold ‘when it meets the residue tolerance limit established for that crop. Treated crops can enter the normal channels of commerce.’”
Moreover, the NOA said, “Companies can assure their customers an easy return, and that AMVAC will refund and pay the cost of freight of all returned product, according to their letter. “AMVAC customer service will provide recovery drums, along with the appropriate labels for the drums. Call the customer service team at 888-462-6822 and ask for Melina Garcia (ext. 6053).”
