Tag Archive for: press release

EPA Announces Changes to Dicamba Registration

The original press release came from the EPA and can be found here. The following is copied over from that original press release date 10/31/2018.

EPA Announces Changes To Dicamba Registration

10/31/2018

Contact Information: 

EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov )

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is extending the registration of dicamba for two years for “over-the-top” use (application to growing plants) to control weeds in fields for cotton and soybean plants genetically engineered to resist dicamba. This action was informed by input from and extensive collaboration between EPA, state regulators, farmers, academic researchers, pesticide manufacturers, and other stakeholders.

“EPA understands that dicamba is a valuable pest control tool for America’s farmers,” said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “By extending the registration for another two years with important new label updates that place additional restrictions on the product, we are providing certainty to all stakeholders for the upcoming growing season.”

The following label changes were made to ensure that these products can continue to be used effectively while addressing potential concerns to surrounding crops and plants:

Dicamba registration decisions for 2019-2020 growing season

  • Two-year registration (until December 20, 2020)
  • Only certified applicators may apply dicamba over the top (those working under the supervision of a certified applicator may no longer make applications)
  • Prohibit over-the-top application of dicamba on soybeans 45 days after planting and cotton 60 days after planting
  • For cotton, limit the number of over-the-top applications from 4 to 2 (soybeans remain at 2 OTT applications)
  • Applications will be allowed only from 1 hour after sunrise to 2 hours before sunset
  • In counties where endangered species may exist, the downwind buffer will remain at 110 feet and there will be a new 57-foot buffer around the other sides of the field (the 110-foot downwind buffer applies to all applications, not just in counties where endangered species may exist)
  • Clarify training period for 2019 and beyond, ensuring consistency across all three products
  • Enhanced tank clean out instructions for the entire system
  • Enhanced label to improve applicator awareness on the impact of low pH’s on the potential volatility of dicamba
  • Label clean up and consistency to improve compliance and enforceability

The registration for all dicamba products will automatically expire on December 20, 2020, unless EPA further extends it.

EPA has reviewed substantial amounts of new information and concluded that the continued registration of these dicamba products meets FIFRA’s registration standards. The Agency has also determined that extending these registrations with the new safety measures will not affect endangered species.

Learn more: https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/registration-dicamba-use-genetically-engineered-crops

Press Release: NPSEC Announces Board of Directors Executive Committee

For Immediate Release 
Contact:
Aaron Weibe
Communications & Engagement Manager
aaronweibe@npsec.us 

 

July 24th, 2018 (Detroit, MI) – The National Pesticide Safety and Education Center (NPSEC) Board of Directors voted to established its 2018-2019 Executive Committee: 

  • Candace Bartholomew, Connecticut Pesticide Safety Education Program Coordinator (Chair) 
  • Don Renchie, Texas Pesticide Safety Education Program Coordinator (Vice-Chair) 
  • Katie Moore, South Carolina Pesticide Safety Education Program Coordinator (Secretary) 
  • Mike Wierda, Utah Pesticide Safety Education Program Coordinator (Treasurer) 

In addition to the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors includes: 

  • Tira Adelman, eXtension Foundation 
  • Faye Golden, American Association of Pesticide Safety Educators (AAPSE) 
  • Dean Herzfeld, Minnesota Pesticide Safety & Environmental Education Program  
  • Rachel Maccini, New Hampshire Pesticide Safety Education Program  
  • Carroll Moseley, Syngenta 
  • Jane Stautz, Corteva Agriscience, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont
  • Thia Walker, Colorado Pesticide Safety Education Program 

There are vacancies on the Board of Directors representing the American Association of Pesticide Control Officials (AAPCO), Association of Structural Pest Control Regulatory Officials (ASPCRO), and a Pesticide Safety Educator from the north central region.  

 “I am honored to have the privilege to serve as the Chair of the National Pesticide Safety Education Center (NPSEC) Executive Committee,” state Candace Bartholomew, newly elected Board Chair. “As we continue to support Extension pesticide safety education programs, I look forward to the good work and collaborations that this organization will accomplish to strengthen the national system of these programs, and improve the quality, consistency, accessibility, and outcomes of pesticide safety education throughout the country.” 

 Executive Director, Tom Smith, noted that “the transition to a formal Board of Directors and the election of the Executive Officers is a major milestone for the National Pesticide Safety Education Center (NPSEC). The Board of Directors includes PSEPs and industry partners that were part of the SWAT Team vision of creating NPSEC, as well as new PSEPs that bring a fresh perspective to the NPSEC mission of serving and supporting extension Pesticide Safety Education Programs.  This provides excellent leadership for NPSEC as we seek to provide tools and educational resources to state PSEPs to better meet the needs of each state’s learners while increasing state PSEPs sustainability, move our PSEP collaboration goals forward, and become a self-sustaining center. On behalf of the NPSEC staff, we are excited about working with this dedicated leadership team.” 

 The NPSEC Board held the election during its quarterly Board meeting on July 18th, 2018.  

 About NPSEC 

 The National Pesticide Safety Education Center (NPSEC) supports and serves Extension Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEPs) to be the premier national source of high quality research-based pesticide safety education. Additional information about NPSEC can be found at npsec.us