workers. Using this combination will result in changes to preharvest costs, ranging from
an $84 per acre decline for fall tomatoes grown in West Central Florida to an increase of
$36 per acre for both spring and fall tomatoes grown in Southwest Florida. Those cost
impacts vary even more for double cropping systems where tomatoes are the primary
crop. In those cropping systems, cost impacts range from a decrease of $61 per acre for a
double cropping system of tomatoes and cucumbers grown in Southwest Florida to an
increase of $255 per acre for a double cropping system of tomatoes and squash grown in
West Central Florida. Tomato yields in each of these cropping systems are expected to
decline 10% in all areas but Dade County where yields are expected to decline by 20%
because of regulatory constraints that restrict Telone use. The low impact yield decline is
assumed to be 5% in each area but Dade County where the yield impact is assumed to be
10%. The high impact yield decline is assumed to be 20% in each area but Dade County
where the yield decline is assumed to be 25%.
 No other producing areas included in the model rely on methyl bromide for
efficient production of tomatoes. There is some use of methyl bromide but alternatives
are currently used by most producers. The resulting expected impacts on costs and yield
are assumed to be zero for each scenario in those areas.
 Peppers. Florida pepper growers are assumed to switch to a Telone C17/Devrinol
herbicide combination as an alternative to methyl bromide. Again, Telone requires the
use of additional personal protective equipment by applicators and field workers.
Preharvest cost changes from using this alternative are expected to range from a decline
of $41 per acre for spring peppers grown in West Central Florida to an increase of $397
per acre for peppers grown in Palm Beach County, Florida. Cost impacts are even higher
in double cropping systems producing peppers as the primary crop, increasing costs by
$437 per acre for a pepper cucumber double cropping system grown in Palm Beach
County. The yield impact is expected to be a 15% decline in all areas of Florida but Dade
County where the expected impact is assumed to be 25% because of restrictions on
Telone use. The low impact scenario for peppers grown in Florida assumes a 10%
decline in yields in all areas but Dade County where yields are assumed to decline 15%.
The high impact scenario assumes a 25% decline in yields in all areas but Dade County
where impacts are assumed to be 30%.
 No other producing area included in the model relies on methyl bromide for
growing fresh bell peppers as a predominate practice. The banning of methyl bromide is
not expected to impact their preharvest production costs or expected yields.
 Eggplant. Florida growers of eggplant are expected to switch to a Telone C17/
Devrinol combination as an alternative to methyl bromide. The impact of this change is
expected to be a $327 per acre increase in preharvest costs for eggplant grown in Palm
Beach County, Florida and a 15% decline in yields. The low impact scenario for eggplant
grown in Florida is assumed to be a 7% decline in yields and the high impact scenario is
assumed to be a 30% decline in yields. No other producing area included in the model
uses methyl bromide as the predominate practice for production of eggplant and therefore
will have no impact on preharvest costs or yield.
 Cucumbers. Watermelons and Squash. Cucumber, watermelon and squash
growers do not generally use methyl bromide when grown as single crops. These crops
are, however, frequently planted as a second crop to tomatoes and bell peppers in Florida.
Preharvest costs and yields for cucumbers, watermelons and squash will be impacted by