Mancozeb can still be used in grapes during the 2025 growing season. However, the EPA has proposed to cancel the use of mancozeb in grapes in the future.
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is conducting a re-registration review of many multi-site fungicides, including ziram, thiram, captan and now mancozeb. The proposed cancellation is due to concerns about post-application worker health hazards. The proposed cancellation applies to mancozeb use in grapes but not other fruit crops because of specific activities in grapevine production, including tying/training, hand harvesting and leaf pulling, that require different REIs (re-entry intervals). The EPA is required to conduct a cost-benefit “BEAD” analysis, which involves assessing the benefits of its use and taking into consideration how growers make pest control decisions. This includes reviewing mancozeb use data, patterns and target pests. They will also take into consideration the biological and economic impacts of using alternative pest control strategies. This methodology relies on data from university extension services, USDA, grower surveys, public comments and professional knowledge. The public comment period was conducted in Fall 2024 and is currently undergoing the review process. The EPA plants to release an interim decision in late 2025 at the earliest. An update will be provided once available.
More information on the EPA mancozeb proposal can be found here: https://cals.cornell.edu/news/2024/08/cornell-grape-pathologist-releases-urgent-update-epa-mancozeb-proposal