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List of Critical Uses
The following are critical uses of methyl bromide. Critical uses must meet the location limitations (Column B) and limiting critical conditions (Column C).
This table is found in Appendix L to 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart A. Any information published in the Federal Register takes precedence over information on this page.
The critical uses of methyl bromide are adjusted every year based on decisions of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol and rulemakings by EPA. Since the critical use exemption was first established, many critical users have transitioned to alternatives and a variety of sectors that were once critical uses no longer are. These uses include ginger, golf courses and turf production, tobacco, cocoa beans, and pistachios.
| Column A | Column B | Column C |
|---|---|---|
| Approved Critical Uses | Approved Critical User and Location of Use | Limiting Critical Conditions that either exist, or that the approved critical user reasonably expects could arise without methyl bromide fumigation: |
PRE-PLANT USES | ||
| Cucurbits | (a) Growers in Delaware, Maryland, and Michigan | Moderate to severe soilborne disease infestation A need for methyl bromide for research purposes |
| (b) Growers in Georgia and Southeastern U.S. limited to growing locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia | Moderate to severe yellow or purple nutsedge infestation Moderate to severe soilborne disease infestation Moderate to severe root knot nematode infestation A need for methyl bromide for research purposes | |
| Eggplant | (a) Florida growers | Moderate to severe yellow or purple nutsedge infestation Moderate to severe soilborne disease infestation Restrictions on alternatives due to karst topographical features and soils not supporting seepage irrigation A need for methyl bromide for research purposes |
| (b) Georgia growers | Moderate to severe yellow or purple nutsedge infestation Moderate to severe nematode infestation Moderate to severe pythium collar, crown and root rot Moderate to severe southern blight infestation Restrictions on alternatives due to karst topographical features A need for methyl bromide for research purposes | |
| (c) Michigan growers | Moderate to severe soilborne disease infestation A need for methyl bromide for research purposes | |
| Forest Nursury Seedlings | (a) Growers in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia | Moderate to severe yellow or purple nutsedge infestation Moderate to severe soilborne disease infestation Moderate to severe nematode infestation |
| (b) International Paper and its subsidiaries limited to growing locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas | Moderate to severe yellow or purple nutsedge infestation Moderate to severe soilborne disease infestation | |
| (c) Government-owned seedling nurseries in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wisconsin | Moderate to severe weed infestation including purple and yellow nutsedge infestation Moderate to severe Canada thistle infestation Moderate to severe nematode infestation Moderate to severe soilborne disease infestation | |
| (d) Weyerhaeuser Company and its subsidiaries limited to growing locations in Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, and South Carolina | Moderate to severe yellow or purple nutsedge infestation Moderate to severe soilborne disease infestation Moderate to severe nematode or worm infestation | |
| (e) Weyerhaeuser Company and its subsidiaries limited to growing locations in Oregon and Washington | Moderate to severe yellow nutsedge infestation Moderate to severe soilborne disease infestation | |
| (f) Michigan growers | Moderate to severe soilborne disease infestation Moderate to severe Canada thistle infestation Moderate to severe nutsedge infestation Moderate to severe nematode infestation | |
| Orchard Nursury Seedlings | (a) Members of the Western Raspberry Nursery Consortium limited to growing locations in Washington, and members of the California Association of Nursery and Garden Centers representing Deciduous Tree Fruit Growers | Moderate to severe nematode infestation Presence of medium to heavy clay soils Local township limits prohibiting 1,3-dichloropropene A need for methyl bromide for research purposes |
| (b) California rose nurseries | Moderate to severe nematode infestation Local township limits prohibiting 1,3-dichloropropene A need for methyl bromide for research purposes |
|
| Strawberry Nurseries | (a) California growers | Moderate to severe soilborne disease infestation Moderate to severe yellow or purple nutsedge infestation Moderate to severe nematode infestation A need for methyl bromide for research purposes |
| (b) North Carolina and Tennessee growers | Moderate to severe black root rot Moderate to severe root-knot nematode infestation Moderate to severe yellow and purple nutsedge infestation A need for methyl bromide for research purposes | |
| Orchard Replant | (a) California stone fruit, table and raisin grape, wine grape, walnut, and almond growers. | Moderate to severe nematode infestation Moderate to severe soilborne disease infestation Replanted (non-virgin) orchard soils to prevent orchard replant disease Presence of medium to heavy soils Local township limits prohibiting 1,3-dichloropropene |
| Ornamentals | (a) California growers | Moderate to severe soilborne disease infestation Moderate to severe nematode infestation Local township limits prohibiting 1,3-dichloropropene A need for methyl bromide for research purposes |
| (b) Florida growers | Moderate to severe weed infestation Moderate to severe soilborne disease infestation Moderate to severe nematode infestation Restrictions on alternatives due to karst topographical features and soils not supporting seepage irrigation A need for methyl bromide for research purposes | |
| (c) Michigan herbaceous perennials growers | Moderate to severe nematode infestation Moderate to severe soilborne disease infestation Moderate to severe yellow nutsedge and other weed infestation | |
| Peppers | (a) Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia growers | Moderate to severe yellow or purple nutsedge infestation Moderate to severe nematode infestation Moderate to severe pythium root, collar, crown and root rots A need for methyl bromide for research purposes |
| (b) Florida growers | Moderate to severe yellow or purple nutsedge infestation Moderate to severe soilborne disease infestation Moderate to severe nematode infestation Restrictions on alternatives due to karst topographical features and soils not supporting seepage irrigation A need for methyl bromide for research purposes | |
| (c) Georgia growers | Moderate to severe yellow or purple nutsedge infestation Moderate to severe nematode infestation, or moderate to severe pythium root and collar rots Moderate to severe southern blight infestation, crown or root rot A need for methyl bromide for research purposes | |
| (d) Michigan growers | Moderate to severe soilborne disease infestation A need for methyl bromide for research purposes | |
| Strawberry Fruit | (a) California growers | Moderate to severe black root rot or crown rot Moderate to severe yellow or purple nutsedge infestation Moderate to severe nematode infestation Local township limits prohibiting 1,3-dichloropropene Time to transition to an alternative A need for methyl bromide for research purposes |
| (b) Florida growers | Moderate to severe yellow or purple nutsedge infestation Moderate to severe nematode infestation Moderate to severe soilborne disease infestation Carolina geranium or cut-leaf evening primrose infestation Restrictions on alternatives due to karst topographical features and soils not supporting seepage irrigation A need for methyl bromide for research purposes | |
| (c) Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia growers | Moderate to severe yellow or purple nutsedge infestation Moderate to severe nematode infestation Moderate to severe black root and crown rot A need for methyl bromide for research purposes | |
| Sweet Potato Slips | (a) California growers | Local township limits prohibiting 1,3-dichloropropene |
| Tomatoes | (a) Michigan growers | Moderate to severe soilborne disease infestation Moderate to severe fungal pathogen infestation A need for methyl bromide for research purposes |
| (b) Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia growers | Moderate to severe yellow or purple nutsedge infestation Moderate to severe soilborne disease infestation Moderate to severe nematodes Restrictions on alternatives due to karst topographical features, and in Florida, soils not supporting seepage irrigation A need for methyl bromide for research purposes | |
| (c) Maryland Growers | Moderate to severe fungal pathogen infestation | |
POST-HARVEST USES | ||
| Food Processing | (a) Rice millers in the U.S. who are members of the USA Rice Millers Association | Moderate to severe beetle, weevil, or moth infestation Presence of sensitive electronic equipment subject to corrosion Time to transition to an alternative |
| (b) Pet food manufacturing facilities in the U.S. who are active members of the Pet Food Institute | Moderate to severe beetle, moth, or cockroach infestation Presence of sensitive electronic equipment subject to corrosion Time to transition to an alternative | |
| (c) Bakeries in the U.S. | Presence of sensitive electronic equipment subject to corrosion Time to transition to an alternative | |
| (d) Members of the North American Millers’ Association in the U.S. | Moderate to severe beetle infestation Presence of sensitive electronic equipment subject to corrosion Time to transition to an alternative | |
| (e) Members of the National Pest Management Association treating processed food, cheese, herbs and spices, and spaces and equipment in associated processing and storage facilities | Moderate to severe beetle or moth infestation Presence of sensitive electronic equipment subject to corrosion Time to transition to an alternative | |
| Commodities | (a) California entities storing walnuts, beans, dried plums, figs, raisins, and dates (in Riverside county only) in California | Rapid fumigation is required to meet a critical market window, such as during the holiday season A need for methyl bromide for research purposes |
| Dry Cured Pork Products | (a) Members of the National Country Ham Association and the American Association of Meat Processors, Nahunta Pork Center (North Carolina), and Gwaltney of Smithfield Ltd. | Red legged ham beetle infestation Cheese/ham skipper infestation Dermested beetle infestation Ham mite infestation |