The Environmental Protection Agency has extended the public comment deadline to August 28, 2015 for its latest pollinator protection proposal. This is the second time the EPA has extended the comment period for this proposed rule.
EPA is proposing restrictions to protect bees used for pollination services from pesticide exposure. Large numbers of bees may be exposed to pesticide spray when growers contract with beekeepers to provide pollination services.
Click here for the proposal.
The proposed restrictions would apply to all products that have:
- Liquid or dust formulations as applied;
- Foliar use (applying pesticides directly to crop leaves) directions for use on crops; and
- Active ingredients that have been determined via testing to have high toxicity for bees (less than 11 micrograms per bee).
The proposed restrictions would not replace more restrictive, chemical-specific, bee-protective provisions that may already be on a product label. Additionally, the proposed label restrictions would not apply to applications made in support of a government-declared public health response, such as use for wide area mosquito control.
The list of registered active ingredients that meet the acute toxicity criteria is included as Appendix A of EPA’s proposal.
Click here to go to the comment form.