To counter an unusual pest or set of circumstances, the Texas Department of Agriculture requests the Environmental Protection Agency grant Section 18 emergency specific exemptions or a more immediate crisis exemption.

This allows use of a new pesticide product or one not approved for a specific crop to stem a problem. TDA must provide EPA with data showing that the requested pesticide will do the job safely and effectively. The difference between a farmer making a crop or suffering a disaster often depends on the relief a Section 18 pesticide offers. The use of Section 18 pesticides annually save Texas farmers between $20 million and $30 million.