Pesticide Applicators Label Awareness
What are some new requirements applicators might find on pesticide labels?
The pesticide label is a legal agreement between the manufacturer and applicator for using the product. Requirements within the label AND labelling must legally be followed by applicators. Newer requirements pesticide applicators are finding on pesticide labels is references to visit websites. The label directs applicators to visit specific websites to obtain further information about the product being used. The websites allow use protocols for products to be updated more quickly. The information found on the websites is an extension of the label and legally required for proper product use.
Two websites most often referenced on labels are Bulletins Live! Two and the EPA Mitigation Menu website. These websites provide applicators with added information about product use requirements. Applicators must visit the websites when directed by the label to assess added requirements when using certain products with website references.
Bulletins Live! Two is a website designed to provide added protections to endangered species and habitats based on application areas with known endangered species. The website provides a map for applicators to select the application site to determine if additional requirements exist for applying specific products via generated bulletins. Applicators must visit the website within 6 months PRIOR to planned applications to determine if any additional bulletins exist. The applicator would print the bulletin and follow requirements within the bulletin as an extension of the label. Areas with shaded areas on the map are called PULAs or pesticide use limitation areas. Applications within shaded areas on the map will generate detailed bulletins with additional requirements to the label that must be followed by the applicator. Even if no bulletins are generated but the label required visiting the website, applicators should print the generated form as a record of compliance with the label.
The EPA Mitigation Menu is also referenced by some product labels for runoff/erosion mitigation or ecological spray drift buffer reduction. These processes require the applicator to access application sites prior to use to determine if the product can be used in the case of runoff mitigation or to determine if an ecological spray buffer can be reduced. For buffer reduction the label or bulletin must allow for ecological reduction AND direct applicators to the mitigation menu website. With runoff mitigation, applicators will assess the application area based on implemented mitigation measures. The label/bulletin will require a minimum number of points (1-9) to be achieved before the product can be used on the application site. After assessment, if the minimum number of points is obtained or exceeded the product can be used at that site.
The EPA has developed a set of tools that can be used by applicators for assessment of runoff mitigation and spray drift buffer reduction. Tables and paper forms can be printed from the Mitigation Menu website as well as an excel calculator can be downloaded to assess application sites. The excel calculator allows applicators to save digital records to files after assessment. A new online tool recently offered by EPA is the PALM- pesticide app for label mitigation. This tool allows applicators to assess runoff mitigation and/or spray drift buffer reduction by answering questions about the application. After completing the questions, a summary page is generated that can be printed or captured for record compliance. The online tool does not save information submitted but allows applicators to assess application sites and generate a record. The tool is compatible with most smart phones allowing more options for assessment.
References to websites by the label are going to be more common as we move into the future. The websites are an extension of the label and requirements found on websites are legal obligations to be followed as part of the label. If you have questions, contact your local Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Article from Tad Campbell, UK Pesticide Safety Program