Spray Drift

On November 4, 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Federal Register Notice seeking public comment on proposed guidance for new pesticide label language meant to reduce spray drift. In particular, the EPA is proposing that many commercial and noncommercial pesticide products add new warnings to limit drift that “could cause an adverse effect” to people or the environment. These changes are unnecessary, confusing and represent a radical departure from current law. The EPA’s proposal creates an unachievable and unenforceable zero-drift standard that could lead to excessive litigation against agriculture producers and significant loss of farm productivity. This current action by the EPA is just the latest example of the EPA blindly following its radical environmental policies and ignoring its effects on American agriculture, America’s food security and the American economy.

Click here to download a printable policy brief on spray drift (PDF)