Will MH be history on tobacco in 2011?

(Southeast Farm Press) It was years in coming, but in November, a major buyer of American leaf finally told tobacco growers it will not purchase any tobacco that contains residues of the growth regulator maleic hydrazide (MH).
“In response to customer feedback and new customer requirements, Universal Leaf of North America has made the decision to not allow the use of maleic hydrazide on any tobacco contracted in 2011,” said George Scott, vice-president for leaf of the leaf dealer, in a Nov. 16 letter to the company’s contracting farmers. “We will be performing residue testing on tobacco grown in 2011, and if your tobacco is found to have any MH residue, your contract will be terminated.” Continued