Arysta LifeScience’s MIDAS got registrations from Mexico and Guatemala

Arysta LifeScience is pleased to announce Mexico and Guatemala have granted registrations for MIDAS, the broad spectrum soil fumigant that controls soil-borne diseases, nematodes, weed seeds and insects that threaten high-value crops.

Iodomethane, the active ingredient in MIDAS, was first developed as a replacement for methyl bromide by researchers in the United States. MIDAS is a unique chemistry that provides growers with a new choice in crop protection while using fewer pounds of product per acre compared to methyl bromide.

"As countries around the world continue to phase out methyl bromide in accordance with the provisions of the Montreal Protocol, growers need an effective tool that provides a similar level of crop protection. MIDAS is a great fit for their needs, as demonstrated by the growing number of countries moving to bring MIDAS to market,” said Hildo Brilleman, Global Marketing Manager of Fumigants and Herbicides for Arysta LifeScience.

MIDAS received Technical registration in Mexico in August 2010 following an extensive review by officials at the Federal Health Protection Commission and Health Commission Authority, with the commercial registration of MIDAS 98:2 following in August 2011. A commercial launch is planned for 2012. MIDAS 98:2 will be applied via drip injection and shank application in fields where tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, berries and melons will be grown.

In July 2011, the Guatemala Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food granted registration for MIDAS 98 in pre-plant soil applications via drip injection and shank. MIDAS 98 is approved for use prior to commercial planting of melons and tomatoes and a commercial launch is planned for 2012.

MIDAS use around the world is accompanied by a comprehensive stewardship and training program to ensure safety of applicators, workers, bystanders and the environment as well as compliance with label directions. In the United States MIDAS has been registered for commercial use since 2007 and applied safely to more than 17,000 acres. Commercial applications of YOKAFUME, the Japanese formulation of MIDAS, will begin this fall in Japan.

In addition to Mexico and Guatemala, MIDAS is registered in the United States, Japan, Turkey, New Zealand, Uruguay and Morocco. Additional registrations are pending in Australia, Egypt, Israel and South Africa.