Challenges remain the same as what we have discussed in our Using Pesticides Wisely and County Production Meetings over the last couple of years. The potential for significant in-field buffers between treated areas within fields and potential habitat of an endangered or threatened species residing outside of your field is a huge concern. Secondly, mitigation measures that are being proposed for requirement ensuring the pesticide remains in the field – avoiding pesticide runoff, is also a huge concern. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Specific topics needed to make scientifically sound regulations addressing in-field buffers and runoff mitigation measures currently include 1)<\/strong> understanding exactly where endangered\/threatened species are located, 2)<\/strong> defining exactly where our fields are located relative to the species and their habitats, 3)<\/strong> the use rates of pesticides we apply as compared to the huge rates they assume we apply, 4)<\/strong> the sensitivity of these species to the pesticides we apply, and 5)<\/strong> the need for flexibility when implementing mitigation measures to prevent pesticide runoff (cover crops, terraces, grass waterways, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thoughts\/Comments that the U.S. EPA may find valuable from a farmer:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n