Pesticides: The Phaseout of Methyl Bromide in the United States
RCED-96-16
Published: Dec 15, 1995. Publicly Released: Dec 22, 1995.
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Highlights
GAO provided information on the phaseout of methyl bromide in the United States, focusing on the: (1) scientific evidence that emissions of methyl bromide are depleting the ozone layer; (2) availability of economical and effective alternatives to the pesticide; (3) effects of banning the pesticide on U.S. trade in agricultural commodities; and (4) Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) authority under the Clean Air Act to exempt essential uses of methyl bromide from the phaseout.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Protection Agency | To provide for an orderly phaseout of methyl bromide, the Administrator, EPA, should seek changes to the Clean Air Act to authorize the agency to grant exemptions from the ban for essential uses. This authority should provide for EPA to grant exemptions after determining that adequate alternatives for a particular use are not available and that the adverse impact of not having methyl bromide for that use outweighs the negative effects on human health and the environment of further production and importation. |
Closed – Implemented
In hearings held in fiscal year 1997, EPA supported proposed changes to the Clean Air Act to extend the phase out of methyl bromide to 2005, and to allow for the exemption of quarantine, preshipment and critical agricultural uses. The Congress enacted this legislation in October 1998. EPA's Stratospheric Protection Division is moving forward on rulemaking for a quarantine and preshipment exemption, and has begun discussions with the agricultural community, USDA and environmental groups on an equitable and environmentally sound process for the critical agricultural use exemption.
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Topics
Agricultural chemicalsAgricultural researchAtmospheric researchCompetitionEnvironmental monitoringHazardous substancesHealth hazardsInternational tradeOzonePesticide regulationOzone layer depletion