Methyl bromide (MeBr) is a fumigant used to control arthropods, nematodes, pathogens and weed seeds in soil in several crops, such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, tobacco, strawberries, ornamentals and other crops.
Some years ago it was discovered that this fumigant is a strong chemical depleting the Earth's ozone layer. Its ozone depletion potential is 0.4, i.e. higher than the admissible threshold of 0.2. In addition, it is also known that bromine released by MeBr is 40 times more aggressive than chlorine in breaking down ozone on a per atom basis.
Governments and international agencies aware of the problem have agreed to establish a programme for phasing out the use of MeBr. Since the fumigant is used in several high-income crops the established phase out gives times to the countries for the development of new alternatives to replace MeBr.
During the last five-seven years some projects and activities have been carried out in several countries which had a high consumption of MeBr as a soil fumigant. The work has been applied field research for the development of new alternatives and demonstrations of those highly effective ones in large plots.
As a result of the above work there are available some published materials on new MeBr alternatives, which describe the feasibility and the disadvantage of each new pest control measure. Some of these publications have come out from several workshops and symposia organized in different countries by UNEP, UNIDO and other organizations.
The main purpose of the present report is to provide information of successfully used alternatives in some countries or regions, where MeBr phase out is going on. Although the report often shows the lack of already validated alternatives, particularly for a region like Africa, the material provides enough elements of the technical and economical success of the use of several alternatives as well as those, which are nearly to be introduced into the agricultural practice.
Agricultural researchers and extensionists could use this information for further studies and / or validation. This material, along with the Manual in preparation by FAO (sponsored by UNEP)(1) , can also be a good reference for the training on new
alternatives in different countries, particularly for Training of Trainers (TOTs). In addition, FAO / UNEP do hope that such a report and training activities, which are part of the Farmer Education and Training Programme being carried out by FAO and sponsored by UNEP under the Montreal Protocol's Multilateral Fund, will also encourage the final validation of several promising alternatives to replace MeBr as soil fumigant. This will help developing countries to meet the MeBr phase-out requirements under the Montreal Protocol.
FAO / UNEP would also like to acknowledge and appreciate the contributions kindly given by several specialists from various countries from all over the world, which made possible the preparation of this global report.
This publication was prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme - Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (UNEP-DTIE)(2) , as part of its OzonAction Programme under Montreal Protocol's Multilateral Fund.
Ricardo Labrada FAO, Rome (I)
Luca Fornasari Montpellier (F)
(1) R. Braga, R. Labrada, L. Fornasari and N. Fratini. Manual for Training of Extension Workers and Farmers on Alternatives to Methyl Bromide for Soil Fumigation. FAO Plant Production and Protection Paper (in press)
(2) Project Title: Farmer Training and Education Programmes for Methyl Bromide Alternatives in Latin America and Africa; Project Number IM / 2110-99-18 (EP/INT/903/UEP).
