NORTHERN "AG" EXPOSURE

by Mark Miller
Rolette County Extension Agent

EPA TO RE-ISSUE PESTICIDE DRIFT LABELING

Since late last year, the EPA extended its comment period several times on its proposed new labeling statements for spray drift mitigation.

The proposed action was intended to help reduce pesticide drift from spray applications in order to protect human health and the environment.

For ground applications, a maximum wind speed of 10 mph and a droplet size as per label requirements were presented.   A huge public response resulted in one of the largest number of comments that have been submitted to EPA on a specific item. EPA has now announced that it has withdrawn its drift proposal and will issue a revised draft for additional future comment. In general, farmers and the agricultural community did not favor the draft proposal but private citizens did. Application height especially for aerial applicators was too restrictive, enforcement issues were too vague to enforce, and economic hardships caused by new equipment purchases were the primary concerns raised.

In the meantime the EPA is planning to seek dialogue and conduct stakeholder workshops to solicit additional input. The agency will then prepare another draft pesticide registration notice for public comment.

OPENINGS AVAILABLE FOR CATTAIL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Openings are now available for North Dakota sunflower producers who want to participate in the 2002 cattail management program.The program, conducted by the Wildlife Services division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, provides aerial applications of herbicide to reduce cattail density. The removal of cattails helps disperse large concentrations of blackbirds  which move from the cattails to feed in nearby sunflower fields. There is no charge to landowners participating in the program. Interested landowners should contact the USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services, 2110 Miriam Circle, Suite A, Bismarck, ND 58501; telephone: (701) 250-4405.

Go To Rolette County Extension Homepage

Go To Archives

Updated Aug 1, 2002 Shelley Armstrong ,Webmaster