Release Date: October 12, 2018
Contact: Donna Gilson, (608) 224-5130
Bill Cosh, Communications Director, (608) 224-5020
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MADISON – Farmers who still have old pesticide products containing aldicarb are reminded that it can no longer be used in Wisconsin, and they should dispose of it properly.
Aldicarb was the active ingredient in Temik®, produced by Bayer CropScience. In 2010, Bayer and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency agreed to slowly phase out sales and use of Temik®, prohibiting all use effective Aug. 31, 2018.
“We don’t think anyone has used aldicarb in Wisconsin for a long time, but just in case, we want to remind farmers that they can no longer use this product,” said Alyssa Foss, pesticide registration program manager with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. “If anyone still has it on their premises, they should look for Clean Sweep collections in their communities or contact their county Extension or land conservation department to find out where they can dispose of it.”
Find Clean Sweep information at datcp.wi.gov; search for Clean Sweep. To find your county land conservation office, visit wisconsinlandwater.org and click on WI Land + Water Directory. To find your county Extension office, visit uwex.edu.
Aldicarb was originally registered in 1970 as an insecticide for use on crops including soybeans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, sorghum, citrus and cotton. A subsequent EPA review found that aldicarb posed a risk to infants and children who ate food containing residues even within the legal limit. It also posed a threat to groundwater.
In response, Bayer cancelled use for citrus and potatoes in 2010 and added label restrictions for use on other crops. It stopped producing Temik® in 2015 and stopped sales in 2016. Another company, Ag Logic Chemical LLC, is still making aldicarb products in some southern states for use primarily on cotton and peanuts.
Foss cautioned farmers not to buy aldicarb products that they may find online. “Just because it’s available somewhere doesn’t make it legal for use in Wisconsin. Even in the few situations where it is still legal in the South, only licensed pesticide applicators can use it. The labels state specifically that it cannot be used in Wisconsin,” she said.
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