Fumigants are an extremely important group of pest management products that are used to protect foods and structures from injury from pests. In accordance with the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) structural fumigants are currently undergoing registration review with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Registration review is a comprehensive review performed by EPA that occurs every 15 years to assess impacts on human health and the environment based on current standards and data. In addition to the registration review process, fumigants have come under scrutiny from the EPA office of Inspector General following high profile incidents regarding fumigants in the US Virgin Islands and Florida.
In addition to EPA reviews, NPMA has engaged with USDA AHIS and state regulatory agencies regarding inspection fees and permitting requirements. NPMA’s Fumigation Committee has developed a comprehensive, six-part Stewardship Strategy. The NPMA strategy consists of six goal areas that include the development of technician and regulator training, advocating for increased product stewardship, investigating new ways to ensure high levels of safety and developing quality assurance resources for fumigators.