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Government Action to Combat Pesticide Resistance--Voluntary Labeling Guidelines

 

Voluntary Labeling Guidelines
Adoption of Voluntary Labeling Guidelines
Reference
Voluntary Labeling Guidelines

Blighted Pumpkin Field (MA Hansen)Crop loss, increasing pesticide usage and increasing pest populations are the direct effects of pesticide resistance. These effects result in economic loss and negative ecological and health impacts. The United Nations Environmental Program designated pesticide resistance the third most significant threat to international agriculture, followed by soil erosion and water pollution. Recognizing the negative ecological and health effects due to pesticide resistance and the likelihood of increasing pesticide resistance outbreaks, the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) of the EPA  (Environmental Protection Agency) published a Pesticide Registration Notice, 2001-5 in 2001. This notice outlines voluntary pesticide labeling guidelines aimed at promoting the use of resistant management practices to reduce the incidence of pesticide resistance.

The basis of the OPP-EPA voluntary labeling guideline outlined in PR Notice, 2001-5 is rotation of pesticides possessing a similar mode of action (MOA). MOA is the biochemical mechanism of the pesticide that causes a deleterious effect on a pest. Typically, pesticides that possess a similar MOA would have cross resistance and this is a serious consideration in developing programs aimed at minimizing the development of pesticide resistance.

The voluntary labeling guidelines recommend that a MOA classification symbol and resistance management statement be included on all agricultural pesticide labels. The MOA classification symbols were developed by the Pesticide Resistance Action Committees (FRAC, HRAC, IRAC) and the Weed Science Society of America. The recommendation is that a heading, “Resistance Management Recommendations”, be included in “Use Directions” on the label.

Examples for Resistance Management Recommendations to include on product labels are listed in PR Notice, 2001-5:

  • Avoid repeated or sequential use of products in the same MOA class through rotation of MOA.
  • If tank mixes or premixes are legally allowed, make sure each compound is from a different MOA class.
  • Use an effective IPM program.
  • Monitor for loss of product performance (i.e. pesticide resistance development).
  • Contact your extension specialist, certified crop consultant or manufacturer for the latest resistance management information.
  • Contact the pesticide producer to report loss of efficacy.
 
 
Initially, pesticide companies were concerned that including resistant management information on the label could create a false perception by the consumer that the product is inferior to similar products that do not include resistant management information on their product label. However, at present, according to the EPA (personal communication, 12/05), there is much interest in adoption of voluntary labeling guidelines among industry, academia, and grower groups. For example, Syngenta has pledged to incorporate the voluntary labeling guidelines on all of its product labels.
The actual numbers of products that have adopted the voluntary labeling guidelines (i.e. include the MOA classification and/or a Resistant Management Recommendation on the product label) is not being tracked by the EPA.
 
 
 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division. Matten, S. 2003. U.S. EPA's voluntary labeling guidelines for pesticide resistance management based on rotation of mode of action. Pesticide Outlook 14 (3): 111-113.
 

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E. Bush, last updated 12/19/05

Virginia Cooperative Extension - Virginia Agriculture & Experiment Station