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EPA Pesticide Program Updates

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 8:26 am
by NaepcA1
EPA Pesticide Program Updates www.epa.gov/pesticides

from EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs - 05/20/2011

IN THIS UPDATE:

Proposed Pesticide Applicator Certification Plan Will Advance Human Health and Environmental Protection on Tribal Land Nationwide

In a May 18, 2011, Federal Register notice, EPA is announcing and soliciting comments on a proposed federal program to certify applicators of restricted use pesticides (RUPs) in Indian country where no other EPA-approved or EPA-implemented certification plan applies. RUPs are potentially hazardous chemicals that require special training and techniques to be used safely. Federal law requires EPA-approved certification of RUP applicators nationally, including in Indian country. Most of Indian country is not covered by a certification mechanism. EPA’s Proposed Federal Plan for Certification of Applicators of Restricted Use Pesticides within Indian country will help fill this gap in the certification of applicators of these hazardous chemicals and by ensuring that RUP applicators are competent to apply RUPs in Indian country, thus providing greater protection for human health and the environment.

EPA published a similar proposed federal certification plan specific to Region 8 Indian country in the Federal Registeron April 20, 2011.

For more information on EPA’s restricted use pesticide certification program, please see our Web pages explaining the certification and training of pesticide applicators.