Several years ago we announced Western Fumigation was teaming up with the USDA and the product registrant, Intreso, to test the effectiveness of an alternative to methyl bromide called eFume™, a promising, sustainable alternative to current fumigation chemistries. Last year, we reported we were happy to have an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Intreso, the Agricultural Solutions division of Draslovka and the registrant of eFume. As a leader in the industry and a pioneer in innovation, we’re proud to provide an additional update to this lengthy process.
As of August 26, 2025, the EPA officially registered eFume under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act as a labeled fumigant for selected produce imports. This will be the first new fumigant approved by the EPA since 1961. To say this was a monumental task would be putting it mildly with over 5 years and research, data support and advocacy. It’s a large step forward in getting eFume™ approved. This was the first of the three steps needed: (1) EPA Registration (done), (2) USDA Treatment Schedule establishment, and (3) operational integration. We’re hoping steps two and three don’t take quite as long as step one did, and we will help it move along as much as we can. As a matter of fact, we’ve been working on steps two and three in tandem with the registration process, so we are already in progress on both.
We are currently focusing on step two (while still looking ahead to step three), USDA Treatment Schedule, with the USDA ARS and USDA APHIS. There were some concerns about sorption in the cardboard packaging, but with alternative packaging as a solution, tests showed the alternative packaging would allow the USDA to establish a treatment schedule that will integrate smoothly into existing operations (e.g. the amount of time to hold and aerate). Operationally, Western Fumigation has a domestic engineering manufacturer on standby to make the equipment needed and we have even run some trials already. Just because we’re on step two doesn’t mean we can’t be ready for step three at the same time!
One challenge being faced is how the process will be scaled up to accommodate this new fumigant. But we have a plan! We’re starting by transitioning one of our large drop gantries using cylindered eFume and ultimately building out a program where we can transition all the gantries using on-site mixing systems. The good news is, the temperature and time for eFume seems to be similar to what is required for methyl bromide, but we won’t know for sure until the USDA publishes the schedule. We know the treatment will require commodity temperatures to reach at least 41 degrees Fahrenheit for effective treatment. This is not because of the fumigant, though. This is the temperature where insects are metabolically active, so that they take in the fumigant through normal respiration. This temperature is consistent with any fumigant whether it be methyl bromide or this new fumigant, eFume™.
Western Fumigation is committed to doing everything we can to not only innovate but lead the industry in finding novel solutions and help facilitate trade routes with our import partners. Our partnerships are making the process for eFume™ go smoother if not faster. While we don’t want to rush it through, we do want to keep it moving. We’re hoping it will be ready for at least a small operation later in the Chilean fruit season next year (dependent on the USDA publishing the schedule). Even if it isn’t, we will continuously work to move it forward and are committed to seeing this project through to the end for the customers we serve.