[MPWG] EPA Seeking Public Comment on Pesticide Labeling

[Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov]

Hello All!

This is an issue that has come up on both lists before. Specifally, the 
medicinal plant concern is the fact that there is no federal requirement 
to post notices that an area has been sprayed, which puts harvesters at 
risk. Haven't had a chance to read the materials but perhaps this will 
provide an opportunity for people to raise this concern. Take a look at 
these proposals...comments are due January 4, 2009.

-Patricia

Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.
Botanist - Division of Scientific Authority
Chair - Plant Conservation Alliance - Medicinal Plant Working Group
US Fish & Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 110
Arlington, VA  22203
703-358-1708 x1753
FAX: 703-358-2276

Promoting sustainable use and conservation of our native medicinal plants.
<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal>

----- Forwarded by Patricia De Angelis/ARL/R9/FWS/DOI on 11/05/2009 09:11 
AM -----

Ladadams at aol.com 
Sent by: pollinator-bounces+patricia_deangelis=fws.gov at lists.sonic.net
11/04/2009 07:19 PM

To
pollinator at nappc.org
cc

Subject
[Pollinator] EPA Rolls out Spray Drift Labeling






>From Bee Culture 
http://home.ezezine.com/1636/1636-2009.11.04.15.54.archive.html
 
EPA Proposes New Pesticide Labeling to Control Spray Drift and Protect 
Human Health 
WASHINGTON ? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has rolled out 
proposed guidance for new pesticide labeling to reduce off-target spray 
and dust drift. The new instructions, when implemented, will improve the 
clarity and consistency of pesticide labels and help prevent harm from 
spray drift. The agency is also requesting comment on a petition to 
evaluate children?s exposure to pesticide drift.

?The new label statements will help reduce problems from pesticide drift,? 
said Steve Owens, the assistant administrator for EPA?s Office of 
Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. ?The new labels will carry 
more uniform and specific directions on restricting spray drift while 
giving pesticide applicators clear and workable instructions.? 

The new instructions will prohibit drift that could cause adverse health 
or environmental effects. Also, on a pesticide-by-pesticide basis, EPA 
will evaluate scientific information on risk and exposure based on 
individual product use patterns. These assessments will help the agency 
determine whether no-spray buffer zones or other measures ? such as 
restrictions on droplet or particle size, nozzle height, or weather 
conditions ? are needed to protect people, wildlife, water resources, 
schools and other sensitive sites from potential harm. 

In addition to the draft notice on pesticide-drift labeling, EPA is also 
seeking comment on a draft pesticide drift labeling interpretation 
document that provides guidance to state and tribal enforcement officials. 
A second document provides background information on pesticide drift, a 
description of current and planned EPA actions, a reader?s guide 
explaining key terms and concepts, and specific questions on which EPA is 
seeking input. These documents and further information are available in 
docket EPA?HQ?OPP?2009?0628 at http://www.regulations.gov .

In a second Federal Register notice, EPA is also requesting comment on a 
petition filed recently by environmental and farm worker organizations. 
The petitioners ask EPA to evaluate children?s exposure to pesticide drift 
and to adopt, on an interim basis, requirements for ?no-spray? buffer 
zones near homes, schools, day-care centers, and parks. EPA will evaluate 
this new petition and take whatever action may be appropriate after the 
evaluation is complete. For further information and to submit comments, 
please see docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0825 at http://www.regulations.gov . 

More information: 
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/spraydrift.htm 
 
 





Laurie Davies Adams
Executive Director
Pollinator Partnership 
423 Washington Street, 5th floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-362-1137
LDA at pollinator.org

www.pollinator.org
www.nappc.org

National Pollinator Week is June 21-27, 2010. 
Beecome involved at www.pollinator.org
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