MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting comments through April 27, 2025 for a proposed special pesticide registration to control disease, nematode, and weeds in ginseng. The special registration proposed by DATCP is for Vapam® HL soil fumigant, which is manufactured by AMVAC and contains the active ingredient metam sodium.
Vapam® HL is currently registered for use on soils after harvest and before planting of various crops in Wisconsin, but not for ginseng, which is why a special registration is necessary. The special registration will allow Vapam® HL to be applied to soil before planting ginseng. Without this control, ginseng root can become infected resulting in abnormal growth, reduced fiber content, and potential plant health export issues.
This is the second special registration of Vapam® HL, with a proposed registration expiration of December 31, 2029.
The preliminary environmental assessment indicates that the proposed registration will not require a full environmental assessment. Comments received on or before 4:30 p.m. on April 27, 2025 will become part of the preliminary environmental assessment record. Copies of the assessment can be requested, and comments may be submitted by mail to Alyssa Foss, DATCP, PO Box 8911, Madison, WI, 53708-8911; or by email to alyssa.foss@wisconsin.gov.
More Information
The special registration process allows states to register additional uses of pesticide products other than those listed on their labels, without prior federal approval. It helps growers address local pest problems that cannot be adequately controlled by any available federally registered product. These problems include insect outbreaks, fungal diseases, and grasses and weeds that outcompete crops. For more information, visit https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/SpecialPesticideRegistrations.aspx.
