DuPont to Phase Out Sale of Benlate - "Their" Version

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Subject:   DuPont to Phase Out Sale of Benlate - "Their" Version
 Date:      Sat, 18 Aug 2001 16:04:03 -0400
From:        Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization:     Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)

To:     Paul Helliker <phelliker@cdpr.ca.gov>
          Director, State of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation 

cc:    Christine Whitman whitman.christine@epa.gov

Dear Mr. Helliker, I thought you might like to read a press release from DuPont's own website about their discontinuance of Benlate from the marketplace:

DuPont Statement: DuPont to Phase Out Sale of Benlate

WILMINGTON, Del., April 19, 2001 - Today DuPont informed its customers around the world that it will discontinue the manufacture of its fungicide benomyl and will phase out sales of Benlate® in all its forms from the global market. No sales will occur after December 31, 2001, and we expect all product will clear the channels of trade by the end of 2002.

DuPont advised customers that this is not a product recall, but a voluntary business decision based on a review of global market conditions and other factors. The decision is part of the recently announced restructuring to improve the overall competitiveness of its agricultural businesses.

A significant element of the reason to withdraw is that the company is no longer willing to bear the high and continuing costs of defending the product in the U.S. legal system where factors other than good science can influence outcomes. In addition, there are significant ongoing costs and resources necessary to meet increased regulatory requirements around the world and keep the product active. The company believes those resources are better applied to other areas of the business.  DuPont remains fully confident that Benlate® is safe when used as directed. The 30-year-old fungicide has been an excellent crop protection option for growers worldwide.

For attribution to James C. Borel, vice president & general manager - DuPont Crop Protection Products

Well Mr. Helliker,

A dear friend of mine just commented that: "This is the same company whose "testing results" are still being accepted by the EPA as sole determining evidence for the registration and reregistration of their pesticides.  When will the government realize only independent research can be trusted before dumping all of these poisons into the marketplace!"

I told her that I have to assume that you still agree with DuPont contention that Benlate's original "testing protocol" is and was "sound science"!

Even though it is against the federal law for "anyone" to say even the labeled use of any "registered" pesticide POISON is "safe" - obviously that does not mean that POISON producers will be prosecuted by you "regulators" for blatantly ignoring that law.

Rather than proceed against the POISON producers who produce dangerous "registered" POISONS you "regulators" have decided to proceed against those who would dare to safely and far more effectively control pest problems with unregistered food-grade and/or GRAS alternatives to your "registered" POISONS - Amazing, truly amazing!

Respectfully,  Stephen L. Tvedten

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