U.S. approval of chlormequat growth regulator expected for 2018 spring crop

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Canadian farmers should be able to use the plant growth regulator chlormequat chloride in 2018 on crop destined for the U.S., according to the company that sells the product under the “Manipulator” product name.

“We expect the establishment of the chlormequat chloride tolerance in the USA by mid-May 2018. Chlormequat chloride is the active ingredient in Manipulator,” says a statement from Engage Agro.

The MRL will be established on May 10th, according to a workplan the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publishes for informational purposes.

Engage says it has notified grain companies in the Western Grain Elevator Association (WGEA) that it expects the maximum residue limit (MRL) in the U.S. will be established in time for application on 2018 spring crops.

To ensure adequate supply, the company says it will be asking customers for forecasts in anticipation of the creation of the MRL. Engage says it will also be providing Manipulator training sessions to agronomists, growers and retailers.

The WGEA says the creation of an MRL in the U.S. would likely mean that the reference to chlormequat would be removed from producer declarations for delivering grain in the 2018-19 crop year.

“This means that next harvest producers would be able deliver any crops sprayed with Manipulator into the handling system. Of course, this is all predicated on the establishment of a proper U.S. MRL. If that doesn’t occur as Engage expects, then it would be status quo,” says WGEA executive director Wade Sobkowich.

Engage Agro says it will not release any additional product if the tolerance is not established.

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