The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has denied the aldicarb application for use on Florida citrus.

Florida citrus growers were hoping to have an additional tool in the fight against citrus greening, but the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) denied the aldicarb application to register the pesticide for use on Florida citrus in mid-April. According to a Growing Produce article, FDACS maintained that the “pesticide registrant’s application failed to comply with requirements of federal law.” See the details below.

Aldicarb Application Denial

Aldicarb was removed from use in the US via a phaseout in 2010 by the EPA. According to the article, “the EPA granted approval for aldicarb’s use in Florida on up to 100,000 acres of oranges and grapefruit for three years through 2023.” Aldicarb use was aimed at the Asian citrus psyllid, the insect vector of citrus greening. Many groups objected to the approval and filling with US courts to stop the use of the pesticide.

On April 19th, FDACS denied the aldicarb application, citing that “the EPA acknowledged in its filing with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit that ‘it did not make an Endangered Species Act (ESA) effects determination prior to conditionally approving the use of aldicarb on oranges and grapefruit in Florida.’” An administrative hearing can be requested to challenge FDACS’ decision.

FDACS Commissioner Nikki Fried issued a statement pointing to aldicarb’s high toxicity and the fact that it is banned in over 100 countries. Many organizations praised the application denial, while the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association and Citrus Mutual have both “filed Amicus Curiae brief in support of the respondents to lobby for use of the aldicarb,” according to the article.

Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.