What is the Approval Status of Methyl Bromide?

Methyl Bromide is an ozone depleting chemical and in 1995 was made subject to the control arrangements specified in the Montreal Protocol and EU legislation on substances that deplete the ozone layer (EC Regulations 3093/94, 2037/2000 and 1005/2009). The use of methyl bromide was finally prohibited within the EU under Regulation 1005/2009 from 18th March 2010, unless authorised by the Commission for emergency use in accordance with Plant Protection Products Directive 91/414/EEC or the Biocidal Products Directive 98/8/EC.

In addition to its other uses Methyl Bromide was also approved for use as a plant protection fumigant in the UK, mainly as a soil sterilant and to fumigate food storage areas. However the plant protection uses of Methyl Bromide were reviewed by the European Commission during 2008 as part of the ongoing review of the safety of all plant protection products and was found to carry unacceptable risks to health. As a result of these findings Commission Decision 2008/753/EC required all Member States to withdraw approvals to market plant protection products containing Methyl Bromide by 18th March 2009, with a period of grace to 18th March 2010 to allow people to use up stocks.