Pasteuria Bioscience has received EPA registration for Pasteuria usgae liquid formulation for use against sting nematodes on both turf and strawberries. EPA has also allowed an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the biological nematicide, Pasteuria usgae, in or on all food commodities when applied pre-harvest and used as a nematicide in keeping with good agricultural practices. Both of these actions support the use and safety of Pasteuria usgae in nematode control products.
“We’re extremely pleased with EPA’s decision to approve the new product in strawberries and grant a tolerance exemption,” said Dave Duncan, Ph.D., chief executive officer for Pasteuria Bioscience. “It represents our first approval in foods and the exemption confirms the existing safety profile of Pasteuria usgae opening its potential use in further food crops.”
The Society of Nematology and other organizations estimate global crop losses due to nematodes at $100 billion annually, making it agriculture’s largest unmet pest control need. In strawberry production, it has been estimated that 40 percent of the United States’ strawberry acreage is infested with nematodes and 70 percent of the acreage receives chemical nematicide treatment.
“The interest in Pasteuria technology and our first product Econem has confirmed the need for safe, sustainable and effective nematode control products,” said Duncan. “We’re working diligently to develop and commercialize products to fill this global need.”
This registration marks the first in strawberries for a Pasteuria-based product. Pasteuria Bioscience’s first product Econem for sting nematode control in turf grass received EPA approval last fall. Econem is now being sold in the turf grass industry in the Southeastern United States. This new registration also grants use of the liquid product for turf.
With some nematicides being voluntarily removed from the market due to safety and environmental concerns, few nematicides exist to meet the demand. The commercialization of Pasteuria-based products helps address the need for environmentally safe, cost-effective and reliable nematode control products.