There is great controversy concerning the need to phase out methyl bromide (MeBr) to protect stratospheric ozone. Unlike chlorinated hydrocarbons, MeBr occurs naturally in the atmosphere making it difficult to differentiate the threat to stratospheric ozone depletion from anthropogenic use of MeBr compared to natural sources. New technology has been developed which could nearly eliminate MeBr emissions from soil fumigation, bringing into question the need for a phase out. A field experiment demonstrated that virtually impermeable films (VIF) reduced MeBr emissions to near-zero levels. When compared to soil fumigation using conventional high-density polyethylene film (HDPE), the total global MeBr emission could be reduced from 32 Gg/yr to less than 1 Gg/yr, if VIF were required. In addition, reduced application rates are possible since using VIF reduces wasteful leakage and increases pest-control efficiency. With such low emission rates, and considering the large uncertainty in global estimates of MeBr, it seems that the phase-out of MeBr as a soil fumigant is unjustified. ¿ 1998 American Geophysical Union