Pesticide Applicator Updates

Please find the following below: From VDACS Guidance Updates: 1) Dicamba Registration Status: Virginia Pesticide Safety Educators Workshop 2)EPA Releases Guidance on Pesticide Safety Training Requirements During COVID-19

1) An update to Dicamba's registration status from Liza Fleeson-Trossbach:

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a cancellation order for the federal registration of XtendiMax with Vaporgrip Technology ( EPA Reg. No. 524-617 ) , FeXapan ( EPA Reg. No. 352-913), and Engenia ( EPA Reg. No. 7969-345).  This action follows the Ninth Circuit for the U.S. Court of Appeals decision on June 3, 2020 to vacate the federal registration of these Dicamba products.  EPA’s cancellation order addresses all uses of these products and includes requirements for the sale, distribution, and use of existing stocks of XtendiMax with Vaporgrip Technology, FeXapan, and Engenia.
 Effective June 3, 2020: 
1.  Growers and commercial applicators may use existing stocks that were in their possession on June 3, 2020, the effective date of the Court decision. Such use must be consistent with the product’s previously-approved label, and may not continue after July 31, 2020.
2. Distribution or sale by the re

gistrant of all existing stocks of the products listed above is prohibited effective as of the time of the order on June 3, except for distribution for the purposes of proper disposal.
3.  Distribution or sale of existing stocks of the products listed above that are already in the possession of dealers, retailers, or any other persons is permitted only for the purposes of proper disposal or to facilitate return to the registrant or a registered establishment under contract with the registrant. 
 Questions regarding the return of stocks of these products should be directed to the product registrant or distributor/retailer.
Thank you.

LFT

2) A message from EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs:
Agricultural workers and pesticide handlers directly support the nation’s agricultural production and food supply and EPA is committed to ensuring they are protected from workplace hazards.
EPA has released guidance regarding the annual pesticide safety training requirements outlined in the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) that offers flexibility during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The Agency is aware that COVID-19 may make it difficult for agricultural employers and handler employers to provide WPS pesticide safety training or hire agricultural workers and pesticide handlers who have been trained in the last 12 months, as required by the WPS.
In response, the guidance aims to inform agricultural employers and handler employers of flexibilities available under the WPS to allow continued protection for employees and agricultural production:

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• EPA encourages in-person training if workplace protections to maintain a healthy work environment are able to be implemented. For example, an employer may be able to provide pesticide safety training outside, in smaller than usual groups with well-spaced participants.
• Alternatively, WPS training can be presented remotely, provided all WPS training requirements are met.
• The employer is ultimately responsible for ensuring the training meets all requirements outlined in the WPS. For example, the training must still be presented in a manner the trainees can understand, in an environment reasonably free from distractions, and cover the full training content using EPA-approved training materials.
• Once the training ends, the employer must document successful completion under a qualified trainer.

To read the guidance in full and to learn more about EPA’s Worker Protection Standard, visit our webpage.