Methyl Bromide Phase-out
Methyl bromide helps ensure millers, and their customers, that milled grain food products are manufactured in a sanitary setting. EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) has confirmed the need for methyl bromide for milling and other uses. NAMA advocates for the continued use of methyl bromide until a technically and economically feasible alternative or combination of alternatives is found.
Methyl bromide is regulated by U.S. law, as well as by the Montreal Protocol – an international environmental treaty written in 1987. Under the treaty, the fumigant was to be banned in developed countries January 1, 2004, unless a party could demonstrate a lack of technically and economically feasible alternatives.
NAMA was successful in obtaining a Critical Use Exemption from the United Nations Environmental Program for the use of methyl bromide for NAMA's milling members through 2007 and has submitted applications for 2008 and 2009.
last updated September 13, 2006
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