After a record 20 years of section 18, Mancozeb was finally granted Section 3 registration in July 2013 for usage on walnuts.
After a record 20 years of section 18 (Emergency exemption), Mancozeb was finally granted Section 3 registration in July 2013 for usage on walnuts. Mancozeb was already approved to treat a variety of fungal diseases in potatoes, pears, tomatoes, cotton, cucumbers, and so on.
As per the EPA, all new pesticides (with minor exceptions) used in the United States must be registered for specific uses and specific crops. The application process often requires the submission of extensive environmental, health, and safety data. That process was finally concluded after nearly 20 years of Section 18 status which allowed only emergency use of Mancozeb for treating walnut blight.
One needs to realize that the section 18 process has to be repeated year after year, season after season as the exemptions are temporary. Consequently, the walnut growers had to face uncertainty for 20 years not knowing whether the temporary exemption for Mancozeb would be renewed the next year. Despite submitting overwhelming documentary evidence in support of allowing walnuts on the label, the complicated review process and finding the right sponsor (chemical company) meant we had to face an inordinate delay until now.
But thanks to the section 3 status for Mancozeb, walnut growers now have a reliable option against blight.
