US EPA to greenlight herbicide TMGMV U2

Date:11-19-2014

US EPA is seeking public comment on registration of Tobacco mild green mosaic tobamovirus strains U2 (TMGMV U2) and its end-use product SolviNix LC, for use as a post-emergent herbicide to control tropical soda apple (TSA, Solanum viarum) in pastures and wooded areas that are fenced to contain grazing animals. BioProdex isolated TMGMV U2 in Florida from horticultural materials and filled registration in May 2013. TMGMV kills TSA by triggering a systemic lethal hypersensitive plant response. Given this registration would result in the first food and outdoor uses for TMGMV U2 strain, EPA is requesting comments on underlying risk assessments and overall proposal. The public comment is open until December 3rd.