WASHINGTON, D.C.-The National Potato Council (NPC) is concerned by the recent decision to cancel the registration of aldicarb, a vital tool for U.S. potato growers. Aldicarb, an insecticide and nematicide produced by Bayer CropScience and sold as Temik, has been used by growers for nearly 40 years to assist with pest control without risking human health.
The decision is especially consequential for potato growers because it is effective immediately and requires discontinued use of existing stocks after 2011. Growers will have little opportunity to develop alternative crop protection strategy where aldicarb was a key component of their pest management program.
Despite the fact that EPA's most recent risk assessment concluded that it no longer met its expanded food safety standards and possibly posed dietary risks, aldicarb does not pose an actual risk when used as directed. Consequently, NPC does not fully agree with the new risk assessment that led to the cancellation.