Economic Impact of Discontinuing Farm Use of Lindane and BHC

A ban on farm use of lindane and benzene hexachloride (BHC) would have cost U.S. farmers an additional $10.4 million in 1972, mainly for treating livestock. Added costs (based on 1972 acreage) for using alternative insecticides in crop production would have ranged from 2 cents an acre for strawberries to a high of $209 for flowers. In addition, costs for some farmers in value of reduced yields would have ranged from $114 an acre for strawberries to $390 an acre for flowers. Where livestock were treated production costs would have been about 12 cents more per hog, 24 cents more per sheep, and 34 cents more per head of beef cattle. Total U.S. farm consumption of lindane and BHC would have decreased about 643,000 pounds, if discontinued on farms in 1972. However, use of alternative insecticides would have increased about 5.6 million pounds -- 5.2 million pounds for treating livestock