According to an official from MoA, all agricultural uses of methyl bromide will be banned from January 1 2015. During a soil disinfection conference in Guangzhou, Mr. Wang Yanliang, vice Director of the Education and Science Division at MoA introduced China’s initiatives to phase out use of methyl bromide.

Though the efficacy of methyl bromide is well recognized, these properties are offset by the fumigant’s negative environmental impact which is prohibited under the Montreal Protocol due to its ozone depleting property. A special project has launched by MEP and MoA to phase out methyl bromide. The ministries have sought reliable alternatives and technology to replace methyl bromide. These alternatives have been field trialed on over 1966 hectares of land in the cultivation of strawberry, cucumber, tomato, eggplant and ginger. Most of these initiatives took place in Hebei and Shandong provinces where the total use of methyl bromide alternatives reached over 700 tons. Mr. Wang confirmed that MoA will continue its cooperation with MEP to promote these alternatives nationwide.