With hard work and a good understanding of the regulatory process, the Commission was successful in gaining IR-4 priority for necessary research on an important armyworm insecticide. Typically thought of as a program only for ‘specialty crops’ the Commission successfully made the case that the minor use of this insecticide on California rice qualified the proposal for consideration.
Where does rice fit in the process? Certain pesticidal uses such as insecticides quality as minor use to the rice crop. California rice received an IR-4 priority project for methoxyfenozide (Intrepid) in 2016. The residue data is complete with submission of the registration petition pending. The process demonstrates progress toward registration, a major requirement for justification of the section 18 emergency exemption, which is the avenue for growers using Intrepid to treat for armyworm control.
Rice received an A Priority petition at the IR-4 Week of Workshops recently held in the Baltimore area. The rice petition was one of over 200 projects encompassing the United States and the country’s holdings with funding available for 46 A Priority projects. The rice petition requests the insecticide, chlorantraniliprole, a useful tool in rounding out an Integrated Pest Management program to address methoxyfenozide resistance as growers continue to battle armyworm.
