The Alternative to Methyl Bromide is on the Horizon

Two years ago, we announced Western Fumigation was teaming up with the USDA and the registrant to test the effectiveness of an alternative to methyl bromide called eFume™. We’re excited to report that we currently have an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Intreso, the Agricultural Solutions division of Draslovka and the registrant of eFume. Together we will get it through the finish line of EPA approval!

As Western Fumigation is a leader in innovation in the commodity fumigation industry, Intreso has partnered with us to help support the registration process of eFume™ with the EPA. With this key role, Western Fumigation is working directly with the USDA on research in the United States to navigate within the regulatory landscape. As a greener, more environmentally friendly alternative to methyl bromide, Western Fumigation will use eFume™ on Chilean fruit that requires a Quarantine Pre-Shipment treatment for entry into the country. This will allow Western Fumigation to continue its mission of helping to ensure nutritious food is available year-round while protecting domestic agricultural systems from potentially catastrophic invasive species introductions.  eFume™ is proven to be highly effective and is also a ~20-fold improvement when it comes to human toxicity compared to methyl bromide.

We asked Western Fumigation Director, Dr. Shannon Sked, about methyl bromide and why it’s been used for so long. He said, “Listen, methyl bromide is the most effective fumigant that has ever been available to stop invasive species introductions in global commodities trade. It’s a silver bullet. When the tolerance level for invasive pest introductions is zero, it’s the product that has been the most reliable, historically.” But even the most effective products have their downsides. Methyl bromide is listed as a hazardous air pollutant and an ozone depleting substance in clean air regulations; two things that create considerable regulatory hurdles. This is why the industry has been on the hunt for a proper alternative. Enter eFume™ – which is not listed as either and is just as effective on surface feeding pests.

“We used to have nothing that compared to methyl bromide,” said Dr. Sked. “But, eFume™ has really been a game-changer.” eFume™ is just as effective as methyl bromide on the two pests from Chile that the USDA and the farms in the United States are worried about most: the Chilean false red mite and the European grapevine moth. Should those two pests make their way to the shores of the United States, they would do millions – possibly billions – of dollars of damage to grape crops. While eFume™ is an effective alternative, it doesn’t just end there. It’s also highly effective on stink bugs and the research is looking good on its efficacy on spotted lanternflies. Taking that into consideration, Dr. Sked noted, “Therefore, it’s practical application in supporting global trade is just beginning.”

Methyl bromide will still be needed, though. While Western Fumigation has funded two studies and done a proof of concept for clearance of eFume™, until final approvals and more studies are done to test its efficacy on other pests, methyl bromide will still be required. What is likely to happen is a transition over time where a proportion of imported Chilean fruit can be treated with eFume™ while the remainder will still require methyl bromide treatment for clearance into the US market.

But Dr. Sked noted, “The regulatory landscape has changed, and it is always evolving. You should never check the box on things like this.” That’s why Western Fumigation is so diligently working on getting eFume™ through the red tape to final approvals while at the same time dedicating itself to the conservation of existing tools like methyl bromide.  “This isn’t an either/or scenario,” said Dr. Sked, “but rather a yes/and one. Western Fumigation is committed to using all the tools available that will help us meet our mission and support our clients’ global supply industries. We’re proud that Intreso is trusting us to get it done with them.”