A proposal made by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) in Wisconsin aims to control the spread of the emerald ash borer. If approved, the state would allow the department to register pesticide products without federal approval for one year.
The emerald ash borer, which made its first Wisconsin appearance in August, is a beetle that feeds exclusively on ash trees. Wisconsin has more than 5 million ash trees in urban areas and another 765 million in state forests. Already, the beetle has ravaged Michigan forests and continues to spread to Ohio and Illinois.
The Tree-age pesticide, which is injected into the ash tree, has proven its effectiveness in controlling the emerald ash borer through studies at Michigan State University.
