EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 Methyl bromide is an important chemical which is used in the production and marketing

of a wide range of agricultural products throughout the world. In Florida, it is used both as a

pre-plant soil fumigant and as a post harvest fumigant for many of the fruits and vegetable crops

produced in the state to control a wide array of pests. Methyl bromide has been identified as

a Class I ozone depleting chemical, and its production and use will be banned in United States

in 2001.

 Methyl bromide is used as pre-plant fumigant for many of the fruit and vegetable crops

produced in central and south Florida. It is used in conjunction with plastic mulch and provides

an effective control for weeds, nematodes, and other soilborne pests in the production of

tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumber, squash, strawberries, and watermelons. Methyl bromide

is also utilized as a post harvest fumigant to control fruit fly on fresh citrus shipped to other

citrus producing states. As Florida is a major supply region for many of the crops which benefit

from the use of methyl bromide, the proposed ban will affect both Florida producers and U.S.

consumers of fresh fruits and vegetables marketed in the November through May period.

 In this study, a comprehensive review of previous work related to methyl bromide was

conducted. A survey of extension specialists in the production areas was utilized in conjunction

with the literature review to identify existing production systems and possible alternatives to

methyl bromide. After crop production systems had been delineated, further consultation with

horticultural scientists at the University of Florida provided detail on possible alternatives to

methyl bromide and the impact of alternative production practices on crop yields and production

costs.