The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), to review how well they work and what impacts they might have to farmers, workers, nearby residents, and the environment.
Recent court decisions driven by environmental activists have forced EPA to develop a strategy to require conservation practices to use pesticides in areas where endangered species are found, which will soon start to be included on labels as a website link to determine what conservation practices must be used and in what locations. This strategy will preserve many farmers’ access to these pesticides, but will complicate federal label requirements.
EPA is seeking feedback from farmers on topics such as:
- What conservation practices should be included to reduce erosion, runoff, and spray drift to allow farmers more options to comply with conservation practice requirements
- What data beyond state agencies can EPA use to determine the range of endangered species
- Effective ways farmers without reliable internet access can receive new location-specific pesticide requirements
- How state agencies should conduct education, compliance assistance, enforcement, and Restricted Use Pesticide licensing
- Ways to incorporate the strategy into crops such as pasture or forage, nursery or ornamental crops, and greenhouse or other indoor production
Questions to consider
- Michigan Farm Bureau is working with EPA to add practices to the conservation practice list and to consider conservation programs like the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program to demonstrate compliance with endangered species protection requirements. What other practices, programs, and information can Michigan farmers share to make new pesticide regulations clearer and more feasible to comply with?
- What would be a good way to receive pesticide regulation updates for farmers unable to access EPA’s websites?
- What role should pesticide companies play in helping farmers comply with these new regulations?
Policy references
AFBF Policy #336, Agricultural Chemicals
AFBF Policy #344 Integrated Pest Management
MFB Policy #27 Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
MFB Policy #31 Plant Pests and Diseases
Additional resources
EPA’s Pesticides and ESA Educational Resources Toolbox
Michigan State University Tutorial
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Pesticide Programs
Michigan Farm News: EPA's new herbicide strategy gets mixed reaction from ag groups
Michigan Farm Bureau Block Party Podcast on EPA’s Pesticide Strategy
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