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PANUPS: Methyl Bromide Update



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                         P A N U P S
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                   Pesticide Action Network 
                        North America
                       Updates Service
                 http://www.panna.org/panna/
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August 2, 1996

Methyl Bromide Update: Ozone Depletion Worsens, Use Increases 
in California, Federal Indictment of Sun-Diamond Growers

Developments at the state, national and international level 
related to the ozone-depleting pesticide methyl bromide have 
been in the news during the past few months. 

*A recent report indicates that ultraviolet (UV) radiation 
has increased over large regions of the Earth in the past 15 
years, according to new research published in Geophysical 
Research Letters. The report is based on data from a NASA 
satellite that monitors world ozone levels. Stratospheric 
ozone protects the surface of the Earth from UV radiation, 
which causes skin cancer and cataracts in humans. Increases 
in UV exposure were greatest in the middle and high 
latitudes, where most people live and where most agriculture 
is carried out, according to Dr. Jay Herman, an atmospheric 
scientist at NASA. United Nations scientists estimate that 
methyl bromide is responsible for approximately 5 to 10% of 
worldwide ozone depletion. In early 1995, 295 atmospheric 
scientists concluded that eliminating methyl bromide is the 
most significant remaining action governments can take to 
prevent future ozone loss.  

In addition, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) 
reported record low ozone layer levels due to continued ozone 
depletion. In March, the WMO recorded 20 to 30% ozone loss 
over certain areas of the northern hemisphere, including 
parts of Scandinavia, Great Britain and Siberia. WMO 
scientists reported that the Antarctic ozone hole exceeded 20 
million square kilometers for over 40 days from August to 
December 1995 -- the longest lasting ozone hole ever 
recorded.  

* In California, the state Department of Pesticide Regulation 
(DPR) released new data documenting an increase in methyl 
bromide use across the state. In its "Annual Pesticide Use 
Report," DPR reports that farmers in California used 
approximately 17 million pounds of methyl bromide in 1994 
(the latest year for which data is available), a 15% increase 
>from  the 14.8 million pounds used in 1993. 

DPR's data indicate that California farmers used the largest 
amount of methyl bromide on strawberries, over four million 
pounds in 1994 or 24% of statewide totals. Additional 
California crops using large amounts of the pesticide were 
wine grapes (1.5 million pounds), carrots (1.3 million 
pounds), almonds (893,000 pounds) and outdoor container 
plants (865,000 pounds). Methyl bromide was also used on a 
wide range of other California crops in 1994 including table 
grapes, lettuce, peaches, peppers and walnuts. 

* In June 1996, a U.S. federal grand jury indicted Sun-
Diamond Growers of California. The grand jury found that Sun-
Diamond Growers gave illegal gifts and campaign contributions 
to former Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy and sought the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture's help in delaying a U.S. ban 
on methyl bromide, which is scheduled to begin in January 
2001 under the Clean Air Act. Sun-Diamond, California's third 
largest agriculture co-operative, markets Sun-Maid raisins, 
Diamond walnuts, Sunsweet prunes and other products, many of 
which use methyl bromide for soil fumigation or for post-
harvest treatment. 

The charges stem from an 18 month investigation of Espy, who 
resigned as Agriculture Secretary in late 1994. The 
indictment includes charges of illegal gratuities and wire 
fraud, as well as illegal campaign contributions to Espy's 
brother. The charges are punishable by over US$3 million in 
fines. Sun Diamond has denied all charges.

In a related development, a study by the Environmental 
Working Group indicates that three political action 
committees associated with Sun Diamond gave nearly $100,000 
in campaign contributions to 29 U.S. Senators and Members of 
Congress from November 1992 to April 1996. The EWG report 
documents efforts by Sun-Diamond and other food industry 
lobbyists to influence national pesticide legislation and 
overturn existing food-safety laws. 

Sources: San Francisco Chronicle, August 2, 1996. World 
Meteorological Organization, "Stronger Ozone Decline 
Continues," Press Release, March 12, 1996. California 
Department of Pesticide Regulation, 1994 Annual Pesticide Use 
Report, Indexed by Chemical, May 1996. Environmental Working 
Group, "Pay to Spray: Campaign Contributions and Pesticide 
Legislation," June 1996. San Francisco Chronicle, June 14, 
1996.  

Contact: PANNA

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