To Rhone-Poulenc Ag Co., Research Triangle Park, NC, it was kind of like a lump of coal in the stocking. In a letter dated Dec. 24, EPA announced its decision to deny the company's petition to extend the use of the herbicide Buctril (bromoxynil) on gene-altered cotton for the 1998 growing season. The decision -- based on the product's failure to meet certain risk assessment guidelines prescribed by the Food Quality Protection Act -- was a reversal from last April's temporary tolerance that allowed growers to spray Buctril on BXN cotton varieties in 1997

Rhone-Poulenc will challenge EPA's decision, however, by bringing forward new residue data. The company hopes updated information will sway the agency to approve the herbicide in time to allow growers to use it in the coming season. Nearly 2 million acres of BXN cotton are expected to be planted this year -- up significantly from the 400,000 acres planted last year.

"Obviously, we're disappointed and surprised by the agency's decision. However, it's our objective and intention to work to have this product available to cotton growers in 1998," says Rick Rountree, public affairs manager at Rhone-Poulenc. "We're making available to EPA new and complete residue data that has just been collected and analyzed. This data shows a dramatically different residue picture than the data the agency used to form their December decision. We think this new data will serve as the basis for overturning their decision."

According to Rountree, EPA has agreed to review the new information and will do so on an expedited basis on behalf of growers making buying decisions for 1998.

Until any decision is made, it will be illegal to use bromoxynil on gene-altered cotton, such as BXN varieties. EPA plans to send letters to cotton growers informing them of the agency's decision.

Last Updated on 3/30/98
By Karen Lutz
Email: karen@hillnet.com