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Major changes proposed for .... Sale and Use of Pesticides
By The Federal Legislative House Bill No. 4152 proposes more stringent laws on the sale and use of pesticides. As the bill is proposed, the states will have to amend their present legislation or propose new legislation to comply with the proposed regulation. All pesticides will be classed into three categories: I. Prescription, II. Restricted Use, and III. General Use. I. Prescription. When a pesticide is placed on the prescription basis, it is a "hard" pesticide (i.e. DDT, etc.) and may only be used on an emergency basis when no other pesticide will control the pest and there is a danger of an epidemic. II. Restricted Use. These are pesticides that have low residual activity (i.e. break down rapidly) but may be dangerous to the operator. Paraquat and Parathion are examples of these types. III. General Use. These are chemicals that are safe both to the environment and the operator. Under the proposed regulation, pesticides in Category I and II require that a person must be licensed to handle, sell or use these chemicals. There will be two types of permits: A. Applicator License. This license will be issued to the owner or supervisor who diagnoses and dispenses the chemical. The test for this license will require that the individual have a good understanding of the chemicals — what they control and how to use them safely. B. Operator License. This license will be issued to the individual doing the spraying. The test for this license will be less stringent and will stress safety in applying chemicals. Before a person can use chemicals in Class I or II, they have to have a license to obtain chemicals. In Class I, they must obtain a permit from a governmental agency prior to the use. Chemicals in Class II may be purchased by an individual holding an applicator's license. Schools will be established in advance to train individuals for these exams prior to the enforcement of the law. They will be given in several areas of the state. Illinois Law This past year the Illinois custom spray operators law was changed to comply with the proposed federal law which has passed the House by a unanimous vote. Previously, the custom spray operators law was for individuals that did custom spraying and only the firm had to have the license. The exam was primarily for general farming and none of the exam covered ornamental horticulture. Under the new law, the firm must have an applicator's license. This exam will be for those who supervise or diagnose the use of pesticides. In addition to the applicator's license, the individual operating the spray equipment must have an operator's license. Who is covered by law 1. Any person spraying for hire. 2. Any person working for state, county, city or municipal government. Who is exempt from the law 1. Any person spraying on his own property. 2. Persons or firms holding the tree expert license. The Exam 1. Applicator License. The applicator's exam will have four parts:
a. General covering questions about pesticide safety and handling.
All individuals will have to pass the general exam and one or more of the specialty exams. 2. Operator License. This will be on safety of spraying and will be less specific than the applicator license. This exam will be given both in English and Spanish. Cost of License The applicator license will cost $25; the operator license will cost $10. The Illinois Department of Agriculture has the responsibility for administering the examination and enforcing the law. Arrangements can be made through the Department of Agriculture for individuals to pick up study materials and take the exam within their local area. Illinois Parks and Recreation 2 May/June, 1972 |
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