[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 44 (Monday, April 10, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E523]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF BILL TO REDUCE TEMPORARILY THE DUTY ON FIPRONIL 
                               TECHNICAL

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. WILLIAM J. JEFFERSON

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 10, 2000

  Mr. JEFFERSON. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing legislation to reduce 
the ad valorem duty on the active ingredient used in a product known as 
fipronil technical, an insecticide registered for use on dozens of 
crops, in the animal health industry to control fleas and ticks, and 
most importantly in urban pest control to stop the spread of 
destructive termites.
  As many of my colleagues know, the entire Gulf Coast is under attack 
by Formosan termites. The invasion is costing homeowners, businesses 
and local governments hundreds of millions annually. Biologists have 
traced these insatiable termites to twelve states. In my district--New 
Orleans--Formosan termites have caused more damage than tornadoes, 
hurricanes and floods combined. Experts trace the migration of these 
voracious termites to the continental United States back to the return 
of World War II cargo ships from the Far East to ports throughout the 
country. Since then, the Formosan termite has increased beyond control, 
infesting trees, homes and other buildings. Traditional forms of 
pesticides do not work on this termite and while efforts are underway 
to develop a termiticide that will eradicate the Formosan pests, we 
must also consider new products.
  We have been working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 
and with manufacturers of pest control products to bring new products 
to the market to help us in our efforts to stop these destructive 
insects. A new product, fipronil, was officially registered for use by 
the EPA just last September and is being introduced into the market 
this month. This new product is applied to the perimeter of buildings 
and within three months the termites have died. The chemical is a non-
repellent so the insects carry it to the nest and contaminate it before 
the other termites can detect it. Other products take much longer to 
produce results and are more labor intensive.
  Fipronil has no domestic producer which would be disadvantaged by the 
tariff reduction and other termiticides do not work in the same way 
that fipronil does. Fipronil has also been approved for use in treating 
trees. We are losing our old historic trees in New Orleans at an 
alarming rate to the Formosan termites. This product gives us hope that 
we will be able to stop this attack.
  My bill allows the makers of this product to bring the active 
ingredient into the United States at a reduced tariff rate. The product 
is finished, packaged and used in the U.S. creating jobs in both the 
manufacturing side as well as the pest control industry.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this 
proposal.

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