Bayer to close MIC production sites in U.S.

Institute, W. Va.-Bayer CropScience has decided not to restart the transitional production of methyl isocyanate (MIC), an ingredient in its Temik® brand insecticide, at the company’s production facility in Institute, W.Va. As a result, the company will start immediately to decommission the MIC production units at Institute, and to close its MIC production facility in Woodbine, Ga. Bayer was planning to restart the newly reconfigured MIC unit at Institute earlier this year, but “uncertainty over delays” had led it to the conclusion that a restart could no longer be expected in time for the 2011 growing season. Temik® is used by growers of cotton, soybeans, and peanuts for nematode control. The plant’s restart had been complicated by a civil lawsuit filed by several West Virginia residents, and a restraining order issued by a federal judge while the case was being investigated. “This was a very difficult decision, particularly as our employees did everything possible to ensure the operational safety of our newly-constructed MIC unit during the remaining production period,” said Achim Noack, member of the board of management of Bayer CropScience. “Our business case was based on our ability to supply the market needs beginning in 2011, and with the recent delays, that plan is no longer economically viable.” The decision means 220 jobs will be cut at Institute and 80 at Woodbine, and growers will be left with only existing stockpiles of Temik® to use this season. Growers were aware that the insecticide’s days were numbered following a 2010 agreement between Bayer and the U.S. EPA to phase-out Temik® production by 2012, allowing sales of the insecticide through 2014 and its use until August 2018. The agreement came in the wake of a new dietary risk assessment conducted by EPA. The closure of the Institute and Woodbine production sites comes earlier than expected, however. “We regret that the decision taken today to not restart production of MIC will not allow farmers access to Temik® anymore”, said Bill Buckner, president and CEO of Bayer CropScience in the U.S. “However, we are committed to delivering the right solutions from our innovation portfolio in support of modern agriculture for our customers.”