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The EPA has identified a potentially dangerous use of pesticides by small flock owners. They have notified state enforcement agencies, and some states are doing spot checks of small flock owners, verifying their pesticide use. It is important to only use pesticides cleared for use with poultry - follow the use information on the labels.
December 2004:
EPA has become aware of a practice involving the misuse of pesticides on poultry. EPA recently discovered internet poultry chat rooms where the participants have recommended the use of the following insecticides for external parasites:
- FRONTLINE TOP SPOT for cats or dogs, EPA Reg. Nos.65331- 2, and 3, respectively
- FRONTLINE PLUS for cats or dogs, EPA Reg. Nos. 65331- 4, and 5, respectively
- ADAMS FLEA & TICK MIST II, EPA Reg. No. 37425-2
- ADAMS FLEA & TICK MIST, EPA Reg. No. 37425-12
- ADAMS 14 DAY RESIDUAL LEA & TICK MIST, EPA Reg. No. 37425-16
- ADAMS FLEA & TICK MIST WITH NYLAR, EPA Reg. No. 37425-42
The FRONTLINE brand products have been registered by EPA for use only on dogs or cats and bear the specific prohibition: 'Do not use on other animals'.
The ADAMS brand products accepted under EPA Reg. Nos. 37425-2 and 12 have been accepted for use on dogs, cats, and horses.
The ADAMS brand products accepted under EPA Reg. Nos. 37425-16 and 42 have only been accepted for use on dogs and cats.
Any use of these products on poultry would be a misuse, a violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and also state pesticide laws.
The sole active ingredient of FRONTLINE TOP SPOT is 9.7% fipronil. The active ingredients of FRONTLINE PLUS for cats are 9.8% fipronil and 11.8% (S)-methoprene; and FRONTLINE PLUS for dogs 9.8% fipronil and 8.8% (S)-methoprene. (S)-methoprene is exempt from the requirement for a tolerance. Tolerances have been established for fipronil. These tolerances are based on the potential for fipronil residues in poultry resulting from agricultural feed derived from crops (i.e. corn, rice) treated with fipronil, and NOT based on direct application to the animal itself. An EPA evaluation of the potential for illegal fipronil residues resulting from this type of misuse has concluded that any residues in chicken meat or eggs will be covered by the existing fipronil tolerances.
Each of the ADAMS brand products contains 0.15% pyrethrins and varying concentrations of piperonyl butoxide, technical and N-Octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide. Tolerances have been established for residues of pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide in poultry and eggs, but not for residues of n-octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide in poultry or eggs. The ADAMS brand product accepted under EPA Reg. No. 37425-42 also contains Nylar 2[1-Methyl-2-(4- phenoxyphenoxy)ethoxy] pyridine. There are no poultry tolerances for Nylar. The ADAMS brand products accepted under EPA Reg. Nos. 37425-12 and 16 also contain Di-n-propyl Isocinchomeronate. There are no tolerances established for Di-n-propyl Isocinchomeronate in poultry or eggs and registrations of pesticides containing this ingredient with directions for use on animals used for food have been cancelled. A table summarizing the poultry tolerances for these pesticides is also enclosed.
While most of the participants in the chat rooms appear to be small breeders and pet owners, we cannot judge whether this is a widespread practice in the industry based solely on these conversations. For some of the participants, the use of these pesticides on poultry appear to have been a longstanding practice over several years. Consequently, we are notifying state agencies having primary responsibility for oversight of pesticide use and requesting that they spot check poultry industry practices within their jurisdiction. We are also requesting, where possible, that states conduct follow-up investigations of the chat room participants who recommended or acknowledged using these pesticides on poultry. The chat rooms that we have identified are:
- www.ezboard.com
- The Classroom @ The Coop: Flea Problem
- The Classroom @ The Coop: Lice
- The Poultry Link Forums - Concerning the Mites and Lice topic
- The Poultry Connection :: View topic - treating fleas in yard
- The Poultry Connection :: View topic - treating for mites before the cold
To respond to any questions you may have concerning this pesticide misuse, EPA is establishing two contact points. The first contact point is Marion Johnson, Chief, Insecticide Branch, Registration Division, OPP 703/305-6788. He will provide technical assistance concerning any questions you may have regarding these pesticides or their analysis. The second contact point is John Neylan, Chief, Agricultural Branch, Agriculture Division 202/564-5033. He will provide you with information concerning the status of any enforcement follow-up activities by EPA and the states and further advise you of any specific cases of misuse of these pesticides that are identified. I hope this information is helpful to you in considering any follow-up action by your agencies.
SOURCE:
Ann Pontius, Director
Toxics and Pesticides Enforcement Division, EPA
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Pesticide Management (Minnesota Department of Agriculture)
Pest Control Factsheets
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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