Coffee Leaf Rust May Be Suppressed: EPA Approves Emergency Use of Fungicide for KONA Coffee

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It has been at least 150 years since coffee leaf rust was first discovered, and it has been eight months since the disease was first detected on Maui Island, Hawaii in October 2020. Shortly thereafter, in November 2020, traces of the disease were also discovered on the Big Island of Hawaii, where large quantities of commercial coffee are grown, including Kona coffee.

As early as 2012, coffee leaf rust began to spread across the American continent, rapidly destroying vast areas of crops. Between 2012 and 2017 alone, coffee leaf rust caused approximately $3 billion in losses for coffee growers throughout Latin America.

Today, Hawaii is in a precarious situation, and similar losses seem to be looming on the horizon. According to estimates from the Hawaii Coffee Association, in the 2019-2020 production season alone, the market value of green coffee beans was approximately $102 million, while roasted coffee beans had a market value of around $148 million.

In March 2021, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) submitted an exemption application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the use of chemical fungicides. On May 20, 2021, local Hawaii time, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency granted emergency approval for Hawaii's Department of Agriculture application.

The chemical fungicide approved in this application is a product called Priaxor Xemium, sold by a German multinational chemical company, with its active ingredient being fluxapyroxad. Although the Hawaii Department of Agriculture stated that this fungicide is commonly used in the production of various leafy vegetables, strawberries, tomatoes, soybeans, wheat, and other crops, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had never previously approved the use of this fungicide on coffee crops.

Unless the fungicide that received emergency approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this time is granted permanent use rights on coffee crops, Hawaii coffee growers will only be permitted to use it for one year.

Emergency Exemption Requirements

According to the emergency exemption, coffee growers must:

• Notify the state's pesticide department at least 7 days in advance before using Priaxor Xemium.
• Wear personal protective equipment as required by the label.
• Follow all instructions on the container label and on Section 18 labels provided by the distributor.
• Report all use/application information to the pesticide department within 10 days after use.

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