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EPA Comment Period on Paraquat Label Ends December 22

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting public comments on its new proposed regulations for the popular herbicide paraquat dichloride until December 22.* The newly proposed interim decision (PID) for paraquat, if finalized and adopted, would further restrict how the product can be applied by prohibiting the herbicide from aerial applications to crops with the exception of cotton as a harvest aid among other new limitations and restrictions. Paraquat is a widely used herbicide among an array of crops used for both weed control and defoliation primarily as a burn down tool and harvest aid tool. EPA says it is planning additional restrictions through the PID based on certain concerns for human health and ecological risks.

We encourage Ag Council members to provide comments to the EPA. *UPDATE: Comment period extended until January 11.

Summary of Primary Changes

  • Prohibiting aerial application for all uses and use sites except cotton desiccation;
  • Prohibiting pressurized handgun and backpack sprayer application methods on the label;
  • Limiting the maximum application rate for alfalfa to one pound of active ingredient per acre;
  • Requiring enclosed cabs if area treated in 24-hour period is more than 80 acres;
  • Requiring enclosed cabs or PF10 respirators if area treated in 24-hour period is 80 acres or less;
  • Requiring a residential area drift buffer and 7-day restricted entry interval (REI) for cotton desiccation;
  • Requiring a 48-hour REI for all crops and uses except cotton desiccation; and
  • Adding mandatory spray drift management label language.

More below, including links to submit public comments:

https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/epa-proposes-new-safety-measures-paraquat

https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0855

Notice from Dr. Jeremy Ross, Soybean Specialist with the University of Arkansas