US EPA to approve BASF's alpha-cypermethrin

The U.S. EPA has proposed to register BASF's insecticide active ingredient alpha-cypermethrin for use on alfalfa, sugar beet, citrus, corn, cotton, vegetables, beans, rice, soybean, tree nuts and wheat. The US has not approved any alpha-cypermethrin product before. The EPA has also proposed to establish import tolerances for residues of the new active ingredient on various commodities. The EPA opens comment for public until December 29th 2012.

Alpha cypermethrin is a synthetic compound belonging to the pyrethroid group of chemicals. It is a racemic mixture of two isomers of cypermethrin. It is a non-systemic contact and residual insecticide with two to three times greater activity than regular cypermethrin. It affects a wide range of insects, effectively controlling chewing and sucking insects.