Extension Agents, below is a summary of additional measures that our U.S. EPA has proposed for paraquat (full details at https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/epa-proposes-new-safety-measures-paraquat). If any of these potential requirements challenge the sustainability of our family farms please let me know by January 6, 2021.
“As outlined in the proposed interim decision for paraquat, the
agency is proposing new measures to reduce risks associated with paraquat in
order to better to protect human health and the environment. These measures include:
- Prohibiting
aerial application for all uses and use sites except cotton desiccation;
- Prohibiting
pressurized handgun and backpack sprayer application methods on the label;
- Limiting
the maximum application rate for alfalfa to one pound of active ingredient
per acre;
- Requiring
enclosed cabs if area treated in 24-hour period is more than 80 acres;
- Requiring
enclosed cabs or PF10 respirators if area treated in 24-hour period is 80
acres or less;
- Requiring
a residential area drift buffer and 7-day restricted entry interval (REI)
for cotton desiccation;
- Requiring
a 48-hour REI for all crops and uses except cotton desiccation; and
- Adding
mandatory spray drift management label language.
In addition, EPA is proposing to allow truck drivers who are not
certified applicators to transport paraquat when certain conditions are met.”
