Montana State University Extension notes that Montana commercial, private and non-certified pesticide applicators will be impacted by proposed revisions to the current Environmental Protection Agency Certification of Pesticide Application rule ’40 CFR 171.’
MSU Extension Pesticide Education Specialist, Cecil Tharp, is the statewide coordinator for training approximately 5,500 certified private pesticide applicators across Montana. Tharp encourages all Montanans to understand revisions to the EPA Certification of Pesticide Application rule that have been proposed by the EPA.
Among other revisions, the proposal establishes a nationwide minimum age of 18 for certified applicators and non-certified applicators working under a certified applicator; requires annual safety training and increased oversight for non-certified applicators; establishes a three-year recertification cycle; includes mandatory closed book testing for private applicators; establishes categories for private applicators; and raises the training credit requirements for private applicators to nine credits per cycle, with six of the nine credits coming from pesticide core subject areas.
By raising standards, the EPA expects to prevent up to 800 acute illnesses per year and better protect the environment, according to the EPA fact sheet. The EPA is accepting public comment on proposed revisions through Nov. 23.
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