EPA Pesticide Program Updates

From EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs
www.epa.gov/pesticides

EPA Makes Emergency Exempted and Special Local Needs Pesticide Products Available in Indian Country Nationwide

On Tuesday, May 21, 2013, Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe finalized a program to allow growers in Indian country nationwide to use certain registered pesticide products not currently available for use in Indian country to combat pests in emergency situations or when there is a special local need.

Under federal pesticide law, tribes and farmers in Indian country do not explicitly have access to the benefits of pesticide emergency exemptions or special local needs registrations (state-specific registrations). Pest control products permitted under these circumstances may be especially useful when growers in a particular region identify a pest problem that federally registered products do not currently alleviate. Lack of availability of these products denies access for growers and public health officials in Indian country to the same pest control tools that are available elsewhere in the United States.

Effective immediately, if all conditions of the program are met, growers in those areas of Indian country where the emergency exemption or special local need registration has been granted will have access to those pesticides approved under the program. Applicators should contact the local tribal authorities regarding tribal laws or regulations and comply with any applicable tribal restrictions.

This program marks the final step in the EPA’s efforts to make emergency exemption and special local need products available in relevant areas of Indian country. This decision is based on a successful three-year pilot program developed after long and careful consideration, in consultation with tribes, and with input from various stakeholders.

Learn more about the decision, including special conditions that apply on the Tribal Pesticide Program Council Web page under “Quick Resources” at: http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/tribes/tppc.htm