SECTION 5

 THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF A METHYL BROMIDE BAN

Objectives

 The objective of the economic analysis is to quantify the effect a ban on methyl bromide

use is expected to have on the state of Florida. Methyl bromide has been identified as a critical

chemical for the efficient production of several vegetable crops and in the marketing of fresh

citrus. It is used as a soil fumigant in several vegetables and fruit and as a fumigant for fresh

citrus packaging prior to shipping to other areas susceptible to crop or product damaging pests

common to the shipping area.

 The vegetable and fruit crops analyzed in this research are those crops which are likely

to be most impacted if methyl bromide is no longer available as a soil fumigant. Those crops

identified included tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, strawberries and

watermelons. Not all of these crops require methyl bromide to be used as a soil fumigant in all

circumstances, however, methyl bromide may impact the economic outcome of all production

systems because of production losses in crop production systems where methyl bromide is used.

 Citrus is impacted because methyl bromide is used on fresh citrus as a post harvest

fumigant prior to shipping. No fresh citrus from Florida is allowed to be shipped to California,

Texas, Arizona, and Hawaii without fumigation of the packed fruit because of the danger of

carrying fruit fly from Florida into one of these producing areas. A ban on the use of methyl

bromide would currently eliminate these states as markets for Florida fresh citrus because no

effective alternative exists for methyl bromide for post harvest use.