Are there alternatives to methyl bromide?
Yes, pest control tools exist today which manage many of the pests controlled by methyl bromide, depending on the specific target pest and crop. There is no one alternative for all of the uses of methyl bromide, but there are several pest control tools which can manage the pests currently controlled with methyl bromide. Viable alternative materials need not be identical to methyl bromide, but must effectively and economically manage those pests which are now being controlled by methyl bromide. Because methyl bromide manages a number of pests in a particular agricultural production system, it is critical to have a package of alternatives that can both control all pests which may reduce crop yield or quality and be available to growers from an economic and regulatory perspective. Research on alternatives is underway and will likely result in a wide range of options, depending on the pest and crop. While economic disparities may occur in the short-term, alternatives will likely be viable
