Thanks to the MSMA Stakeholders Who Informed EPA of the Benefits of MSMA

 

The OAPTF wishes to thank those MSMA stakeholders who submitted comments to the EPA regarding the importance of MSMA in weed management programs for golf courses, sod farms and highway rights-of-way. More than three hundred people sent in letters or emails to EPA, clearly showing continued support for this product. The letters are now posted in the “comments” section of the EPA docket “Organic Arsenicals; Amendment to Reregistration Eligibility Decision.” A link to the docket is available here.

 

Sale of MSMA for golf course, sod farms and highway rights-of-way uses will NOT be terminated on December 31, 2012 as originally called for in the 2009 agreement between the Task Force and EPA. See September 14, 2012, letter from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the Organic Arsenical Products Task Force (Task Force). The Federal Register notice that clarifies these conflicting provisions in the 2009 cancellation order, and allows continued use of those existing stocks of MSMA products labeled for the Group 3 uses beyond the December 31, 2013, deadline is available here.

 

Please note that this development only applies to the turf applications noted above – golf course, sod farms and highway rights-of-way. The option for continued sale and distribution of MSMA for home lawn care and related uses are not included in the September 2012 EPA letter as those uses were deleted from the label as part of the 2009 agreement between EPA and the Task Force. It is important to note that while sales of MSMA for those home lawn care and related uses were terminated on December 31, 2009; use of existing stocks is permitted.

 

Memorandum to “Friends of MSMA” on MSMA Turf Applications – February 2013

 

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Changes in EPA Agreement on MSMA - October 2012

 

See article, “MSMA still available:  Update for turfgrass applications,” published in the Georgia Urban Ag. Council Magazine (page 46).