California Walnut Board seeks EPA approval for blight fighting antibiotic
According to Cecillia Parsons, "public perception of antibiotic use in agriculture is stalling a federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) green light for the use of an effective control for a serious walnut disease, University of California researchers believe."
"Walnut blight, caused by the bacteria Xanthomonas abroricola juglandis, is a threat to walnut growers worldwide. In the wetter walnut production areas of California, blight can cause serious crop losses. Trials have shown that the antibiotic Kasugamycin has great potential in walnut blight disease management." Mrs. Parsons said.
“They (federal EPA) told us if walnut blight is a problem they want to hear directly from California walnut growers about their need for this product,” said Carl Eidsath, technical support director for the California Walnut Board (CWB) and Commission.
Eidsath added, “I’m hoping they get emails from all 4,000 of our growers.”
In a recent newsletter, the CWB urged all its growers to send e-mails
to EPA’s registrations division supporting the need for the California registration of Kasugamycin for blight control in walnuts. With federal approval, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation could move forward with their product evaluation.
source: westernfarmpress.com
