Pest Management Professional, March 2014

ASSOCIATIONUpdate SPRING 2014 Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment RISE Each year we at Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment RISE see the introduction of legislation on local state and federal levels that could affect your business and the important work you do Youre probably aware of many of the issues affecting you including pollinator health and integrated pest management IPM Because RISE is the national trade association representing manufacturers formulators distributors and other industry leaders involved with pesticide and fertilizer products our grassroots network is an ideal way to stay engaged and up to date We provide the network with resources so you can start a conversation with policymakers and community leaders about what you do and the tools you need to keep communities healthy and safe Heres what you need to know about issues that might directly impact your business Clean Water Act update The U S Environmental Protection Agency EPA is planning to publish a draft rule expanding the definition of waters of the U S in the Clean Water Act CWA by removing the word navigable This would mean all water could be regulated under CWA including golf course ponds man made lakes in residential communities and even small ditches on the side of the road If this proposed rule were to pass you would need to obtain permits for pesticide applications near any water For example if a customer has a small pond on his her property you wouldnt be able to make an outdoor treatment without a permit Pollinators Several neonicotinoid restricting bills have been introduced in state legislatures including Alaska Maine New Jersey New York Oregon and Vermont If you live in one of these states these bills would have a direct effect on your business Alaskas bill states a person may not apply any neonicotinoid products to seeds and foliage or in granular form to soil unless the pesticide is contained entirely within a greenhouse In Maine New Jersey and Vermont the legislation prohibits the use or sale of neonicotinoid products Two bills in New York would prohibit the use or sale of neonicotinoid products along with atrazine and metalaxyl and the use of neonicotinoids in seed dressing treatment or coating Oregons bill is requiring the Department of Agriculture to classify certain compounds as restricted use Label language on the nitroguanidine neonicotinoid products clothianidin dinotefuran imidacloprid and thiomethoxam is changing to ensure pollinator safety when applying these products in liquid foliar formulations outdoors Look for the new labels this season and read them thoroughly Integrated Pest Management IPM Several IPM bills are up for a vote this year and were seeing the introduction of the Safe Playing Fields Act in New Jersey The Garden State also has an IPM bill in the works The Responsible Pesticide Use Recognition Act which encourages the voluntary reduction of pesticides throughout the state This is the 10th year this bill has been introduced If you live in New Jersey you can start the conversation with your customers neighbors community leaders and policymakers about how the products you use are protecting homes and businesses from pests that can cause harm to our health and environment Getting involved Joining RISEs grassroots network is one of the best ways to stay involved speak up about your business and share your story Youll receive email alerts and be informed about the work were doing on each issue Join the grassroots network by emailing grassroots@ pestfacts org with your name and state You also can find issue talking points at our ambassador site www debugthemyths com ambassadors so you can talk with your customers and policymakers about your business and the products you need to keep our homes workplaces and communities healthy and safe Your voice and business make a difference Policymakers want to hear from you Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment RISE UI 4U 8 4VJUF t 8BTIJOHUPO t www pestfacts org t rise@ pestfacts org t Aaron Hobbs President AU14 March 2014 Pest Management Professional www mypmp net