Contact:
Anita Alexander
Dow AgroSciences
(770) 846-4624
alalexander@dow.com
Raymond Miller
Dow AgroSciences
(813) 363-9059
rcmiller2@dow.com
The following is the text of a letter issued by DOW on 12 August 2008.
Indianapolis - Aug. 12 2008 - Dow AgroSciences announced today that it is voluntarily suspending the sale and use of multiple spinosyn insecticides in Broward County and a portion of Palm Beach County in Florida. This action has been taken in response to evidence that western flower thrips have developed resistance to a product with the active ingredient spinosad.
"Florida's uniquely long growing season combined with the rapid reproduction cycle of thrips creates an environment that is conducive to developing insecticide resistance. This suspension is necessary to preserve the viability of this important family of insecticides," says Mark Urbanowski, senior marketing specialist for Dow AgroSciences turf and ornamental products.
The suspension of all spinosyn products in these two counties is through Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Section 24(c) Special Local Need labeling in Florida. Products affected by this suspension are CONSERVE® SC (a PDF file) turf and ornamental insect control, DELEGATE™ WG insecticide, ENTRUST® NATURALYTE® insect control, RADIANT™ SC insecticide and SpinTor® NATURALYTE insect control. In Florida, these products are used in the nursery and greenhouse; lawn care; landscape; golf course; and fruit and vegetable markets.
"Although this is a temporary suspension for a minimum of 12 months, Dow AgroSciences is committed to bringing these products back to the market as soon as possible," Urbanowski says. "To that end, we're working with the University of Florida and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to develop an educational program to help spinosyn users learn more about the necessity of proper product rotation and Integrated Pest Management (IPM)."
Dow AgroSciences develops ThripsManagement.com
The continuous application of any class of insecticides over an extended period of time, without proper rotation with other chemistries, can lead to resistance development. Thus, in cooperation with governmental agencies, pest management consultants and university experts, Dow AgroSciences has developed a series of educational management seminars for key audiences within Florida, as well as the Web site http://www.ThripsManagement.com..
"Dow AgroSciences is providing resources to help reinforce the importance for growers and other professional applicators to follow label directions. We also are working together to reinforce the proper use and rotation of products as recommended in IPM programs," says Joe Funderburk, professor of entomology, University of Florida.
The thrips management Web site will help assist in the education of growers and aid in preventing resistance from expanding into other areas. The site is intended to serve as a one-stop resource for growers to access multiple university and government IPM programs, in addition to management tips for western flower thrips.
Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a top-tier agricultural company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. Dow AgroSciences provides innovative technologies for crop protection, pest and vegetation management, seeds, traits, and agricultural biotechnology to serve the world's growing population. Global sales for Dow AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, are $3.8 billion. Learn more at http://www.dowagro.com.