User groups and registrants are developing required data. The last data required by EPA to reregister methyl bromide are expected to be submitted to us in late 1997. A decision on whether or not EPA will reregister the compound is expected sometime in the fall of 1998. In cases where all requirements have been met, we plan to have a decision for registering biological pesticides within 8 months, for new food uses of registered pesticides in 6 months, and for new active ingredients in 12 months. He mentioned that there are regulatory, information, and economic barriers that may hamper adoption of methyl bromide alternatives.
Some countries now specify methyl bromide for quarantine treatment.
Also, there is no consensus among our States or with other countries on efficacious chemical or nonchemical alternative substitutes for controlling pests. One area that Barolo touched on was the cost of alternatives. Cost, he said, may be an important factor in securing acceptance of alternatives, particularly in the developing world. We've already received one application to register a product as a potential alternative to methyl bromide as a preplant fumigant. And we've had discussions on the possible registration of a new active ingredient that could be a potential methyl bromide alternative.