Comments Open for Special Registration of Potato Fungicide

Media Contacts:  Donna Gilson, 608-224-5130[email protected]
                            Bill Cosh, communications director, [email protected]608-224-5020

MADISON – The public can comment until April 4 on a proposed special pesticide registration to help potato growers control early and late blight in their crops, as well as two other fungal diseases.

The special registration proposed by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is for Bravo Ultrex®, Bravo WeatherStik® and Bravo Zn®. All contain the active ingredient chlorothalonil. They are registered by Adama.

These products are currently registered for use on potatoes, but the special registration will allow additional applications to provide coverage for the full growing season. This will extend protection long enough to control blight both early and late in the season, as well as botrytis vine rot and black dot.

The preliminary environmental assessment indicates that the proposed registration will not require a full environmental impact statement. This special pesticide registration would expire December 31, 2022.

For a copy of the assessment, contact Alyssa Foss, DATCP, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI, 53708-8911, 608-224-4547. It is available for review at the department MondayFriday7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.2811 Agriculture Dr., Madison, second floor. Comments received on or before 4:30 p.m.April 4, will become part of the preliminary environmental assessment record. Send comments to Alyssa Foss by mail at the above address or by email at [email protected].

The special registration process allows states to register additional uses of pesticide products 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. Details about the special registration process are available at datcp.wi.gov, search for special pesticide registration.

DATCP had previously authorized similar requests for Bravo® products, the most recent of which expired Dec. 31, 2017.  The department has not received any reports of adverse effects from previous special registrations of this product.

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