Jan. 21, 2016
On Aug. 24, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced proposed revisions to regulations for certification of applicators of restricted use pesticides (RUPs). With this regulatory update, EPA intends to establish uniform nationwide applicator training and competency testing standards for commercial and private applicators and any noncertified applicators working under their direct supervision, and identify changes that states, federal agencies, Tribes and territories will have to make to their training and certiciation programs, testing and enforcement, and the data they report to EPA. The rule also proposes provisions enhancing reciprocity among states and other certifying agencies to aid commercial applicators working in multiple jurisdictions.
Some of the proposed EPA changes will directly impact ARA members that provide commercial (ground and/or aerial) application services. While some of the proposals are in alignment with industry efforts to promote the use of new precision agricultural technologies and best practices, there are some recommendations that need to be revised. The Agricultural Retailers Association have provided the following suggested template for comments to be filed with EPA before the deadline of Jan. 22, 2016.
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