Specialty crop producers throughout the world are one step closer to a practical alternative to methyl bromide.

Arysta LifeScience Corporation today announced it received registration on November 2 for Iodomethane for broad-spectrum insect control on imported timber in Japan (JMAFF registration number 21407). This is the world's first registration of Iodomethane, which has been developed globally by Arysta.

Iodomethane has been developed by the Methyl Bromide Alternative Urgent Development Program supported by Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Iodomethane's Japanese registration is the result of a collaboration involving the Japan Fumigation Technology Association and Yokohama Plant Protection Station.

While the target crop of this registration is imported timber only, Arysta has also been developing Iodomethane as a soil fumigant. It controls a broad range of soil-borne diseases, nematodes, weeds and fungi in high-value crops such as strawberries, tomatoes and peppers and melons. Non-food crop production (turf and cut flowers) and perennial crop replant (orchards and vine crops) are also promising Iodomethane applications.

According to Dr. Christopher Richards, President and CEO of Arysta LifeScience Corporation, the Japanese registration is the first step in the eventual worldwide use of Iodomethane.

"The specialty crops marketplace is set to receive a new fumigant and practical alternative to methyl bromide," he says. "In numerous research trials, Iodomethane has been shown to be as effective as methyl bromide against target pests and disease. Because of its broad-spectrum control, Iodomethane will be a critical alternative as growers approach the 2005 phase- out of methyl bromide."

"To further develop Iodomethane, we are working closely with national authorities in North America, Europe, Central and South America and the Middle East. We anticipate Iodomethane registrations in these jurisdictions in the near future," says Mike Allan, Global Product Manager -- Fumigants.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Arysta is an entrepreneurial provider of crop protection and life science products worldwide. The company is growing by building a world-class business in the development, marketing and distribution of respected crop protection brands and an intimate understanding of the needs of global producers.