Proposed pesticide needs comments from the public

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), is accepting comments through April 27, for a proposed special pesticide registration to control disease, nematode and weeds in ginseng.

The special registration proposed by the DATCP is for Vapam HL soil fumigant, which is manufactured by AMVAC and contains the active ingredient metam sodium.

Vapam HL is currently registered for use on soils after harvest and before planting of various crops in Wisconsin, but not for ginseng, which is why a special registration is necessary. The special registration will allow Vapam HL to be applied to soil before planting ginseng.

Without this control, ginseng root can become infected, resulting in abnormal growth, reduced fiber content and potential plant health export issues. This is the second special registration of Vapam HL, with a proposed registration expiration of Dec. 31, 2029.

The preliminary environmental assessment indicates that the proposed registration will not require a full environmental assessment. Comments received on, or before, 4:30 p.m., April 27, will become part of the preliminary environmental assessment record.

Copies of the assessment can be requested and comments may be submitted, by mail, to: Alyssa Foss, DATCP, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI, 53708-8911; or by email, to alyssa.foss@wisconsin.gov.

The special registration process allows states to register additional uses of pesticide products, other than those listed on their labels, without prior federal approval. It helps growers address local pest problems that cannot be adequately controlled by any available federally registered product.

These problems include insect outbreaks, fungal diseases, and grasses and weeds that outcompete crops.

For more information, visit datcp.wi.gov.