NJDEP Adopts Amendments To Pesticide Regulations

From: Robina Suwol
Date: 06 Dec 2001
Time: 03:07:01
Remote Name: 64.216.20.176

Comments

The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has adopted amendments to state pesticide regulations that upgrade training and licensing requirements for pesticide applicators, require the use of least hazardous pesticides and more effective public notification for community spraying programs, and prohibit false or misleading advertising of pesticide products. The rule amendments were proposed in February following extensive discussions with numerous stakeholders over several years. The proposal received overall support during the public hearing and public comment period, and the final amendments were published in the November 19th edition of the "New Jersey Register." "These rules are designed to protect public health and the environment through prudent pesticide use," said DEP Commissioner Bob Shinn. "These amendments represent a major overhaul of our comprehensive pesticide regulations and will enhance public health protection through better licensing, training and pesticide application requirements." The new regulations require licensed commercial pesticide applicators to attend and pass standardized training courses, and require private applicators, such as farmers, who are unlicensed, to obtain a license to apply any pesticides. The rules also prohibit non-agricultural aerial application of broad-spectrum chemical pesticides and instead require the use of biological controls or the least hazardous alternative when conducting, for example, community gypsy moth control spraying. Exceptions include significant outbreaks. In addition, the new rules also establish a notification system for outdoor pesticide applications within 250 feet of school grounds, when using high-pressure equipment that is more likely to cause the pesticide to drift. They also prohibit misleading advertising of pesticide products such as those falsely claiming to be organic or environmentally friendly, and make the state' s pesticide regulations at least as stringent as federal rules. The regulations also include new storage and spill control requirements for retailers selling any pesticide products to the public. Applicators with questions about the new rules, and citizens who suspect violations, are urged to call the DEP Pesticide Control Program at 609-984-6568. * * * Contact: Amy Collings or Sharon A. Southard (609) 984-1795 or 609-292-2994 Copyright (c) State of New Jersey, 1996-2001 Department of Environmental Protection POB 402 Trenton, NJ 08625-0402


Last changed: March 14, 2006