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Ag Retailers Association expects insecticide strategy to be workable

The Ag Retailers Association says EPA’s recently released final insecticide strategy will be more flexible for the agricultural industry.

Richard Gupton tells Brownfield modifications show the agency is listening to stakeholders.

“ARA has worked with other ag stakeholders to inform them that the proposals that have been put out were not manageable and not workable, and not economically feasible for the farmer,” he shares. “It looks like they are taking steps to make it more manageable and make sure these products are still available in the marketplace.”

He says conservation participation is better recognized, as well as the use of technologies that reduce spray drift.

“Our goal is to protect endangered species, but also make sure these products can still be utilized,” he says.

Gupton says how the EPA moves forward with pesticide labels under the new guidance will provide a better understanding of how commercial operators and farmers will need to adapt.

EPA received more than 26,000 comments following the release of its draft guidance last July.