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Illinois legislation would ban some 2, 4-D formulations

The president of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association (IFCA) says proposed legislation in the state legislature would ban some important herbicides.

K.J. Johnson tells Brownfield, “This would be an all-out ban on 2, 4-D ester.”  He says, “This is some of your older formalizations of 2, 4-D, but we still use a lot in burn downs. If you use a 2, 4-D as a burn down in fall or spring, it’s probably a 2, 4-D ester.”

He says it would also open the door for future bans.

“That would be the first time we’ve ever banned an actual one-off product in the state of Illinois.”  He says, “We have some major concerns.”

Johnson says IFCA is also opposing legislation that would require any pesticide applicator to provide written or email notice 72 hours prior to a pesticide application within half a mile to schools or parks.

“We’re just worried that they’re just gonna come back every year and ask for that same notification this year.”  He says, “This year it’ll be a mile, then next year it’ll be a mile, and then a couple years will be two miles.”

Johnson says IFCA supported current regulations requiring notification within 500 feet of a school.

He says their organization is in communication with both bill sponsors and watching for any potential movement within the General Assembly.

AUDIO: KJ Johnson – IFCA