Chemical Alert Azinphos-methyl (Guthion) Phase-out December 18, 2006 Situation:  On November 16, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized  details of its proposed phase-out of Guthion (azinphosmethyl) on apples, pears and cherries.  Changes will not go into effect until the 2008 use season. General Label Changes: Applications to apples, crabapples, cherries and pears are prohibited after September 30, 2012. Do not apply this product within 60 feet of buildings occupied by humans for residential, commercial or business purposes, including, but not limited to, homes, farm worker housing or other residential buildings, schools, daycare centers, nursing homes, hospitals and any other and also including school grounds, athletic fields, pars and recreational areas.  Non-residential agricultural buildings, including barns, livestock facilities, sheds and outhouses are not included in this prohibition. A vegetative buffer zone of 60 feet must be maintained around water bodies or aquatic habitat, including, but not limited to, lakes, reservoirs, rivers, streams, marshes natural ponds, estuaries and commercial fishponds. New Crop Specific Label Restrictions: Apples and crab apples: Seasonal Use Rate Changes 2008 and 2009 - Limit to a yearly maximum application rate of 3.0 lbs ai/A. 2010 - Limit to a yearly maximum application rate of 2.0 lbs ai.A. 2011 and 2012 - Limit to a yearly maximum application rate of 1.5 lbs ai/A. Aerial application is prohibited. Pick-your-own growers must observe a preharvest interval of 44 days when applying between 2.02 lbs. per acre and 3 lbs. per acre of formulated product, 39 days when applying 1.2 lbs. per acre and 2 lbs. per acre of formulated product and 33 days when applying 1.2 lbs. per acre or less. Cherries (sweet and tart:   Seasonal Use Rate Changes: Limit to a yearly maximum application rate of 1.5 lbs ai/A in 2008 and 2009. Limit to a yearly maximum application rate of 0.75 lbs ai/A in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Pears:   Seasonal Use Rate Changes: Limit to a yearly maximum application rate of 3.0 lbs ai/A in 2008 and 2009. Limit to a yearly maximum application rate of 2.0 lbs ai/A in 2010. Limit to a yearly maximum application rate of 1.5 lbs ai/A in 2011 and 2012. Other: EPA has agreed to form a transition working group in the next six months under the umbrella of the existing Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC).  The transition working group will be composed of existing PPDC members and industry representatives to evaluate the effectiveness of azinphosmethyl alternatives and progress towards MRLs in export markets. Market Impacts:  Given that dietary risks are not at issue, the Northwest Horticultural Council does not expect short-term negative market impacts or intense media coverage as a result of the proposed phase-out of Guthion. Contact:  If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Mike Willett, Vice President for Scientific Affairs, or Deborah Carter, Technical Issues Manager, at 509/453-3193. Registrant Contact:  Scott Rawlins, Makhteshim Agan at (919)256-9324 or scottr@manainc.com Northwest Horticultural Council 105 South 18th Street, Suite 105 Yakima, Washington 98901, USA Voice: (509) 453-3193, Fax: (509) 457-7615 E-mail general@nwhort.org