The crisis appears to have only temporarily interrupted growth in a major U.S. agricultural market. Methyl bromide, used for over 50 years to control insects, pathogens, nematodes, and weeds in vegetable, fruit, and nut crops, is used for soil fumigation before planting crops and for post-harvest fumigation of agricultural products in storage and prior to shipment. In 1992, methyl bromide was classified as a substance that depletes the stratospheric ozone layer, which protects the earth against the most harmful types of solar radiation. Phaseout under the multilateral Montreal Protocol exempts some uses of the chemical. Many U.S. users of methyl bromide are concerned that alternative practices currently available to replace it will be less effective, resulting in financial losses.
Some potential alternatives are fairly well developed while others are relatively new.
Government outlays for insurance programs pay a portion of producers' premiums on approved policies, and reimburse private insurance carriers for the costs of selling and underwriting policies, adjusting losses, and processing policy data.