For what is supposed to be a quiet time of year, there has been a lot happening.  Let's start with Sulfuryl Fluoride (SF).  There was a petition given to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) by the Center of Biological Diversity and Californians for Pesticide Reform to phase out SF because of its potential impact on climate change.  Douglas has been engaged on this issue and has organized many groups, including PCOC and ag applicator groups as well as commodity groups and food processors, to help lay out the impacts of this petition to CARB.  PCOC is actively engaged in these conversations and will keep you all updated.  PCOC and Douglas have sent out a Voter Voice to the members to let your opinion be known to CARB about this issue.

The other issue that has come up is the release of Proposed Interim Decision (PID) on all rodenticides (there are different documents based on the class of actives: one for anti-coagulant, one for acutes for structural, and two for acutes for ag).  This is a federal issue so PCOC is also engaged with NPMA on this.  PCOC will be submitting comments to the EPA and we are currently working on this.  We have some questions on the science behind where some of these come from, specifically requiring a respirator for loose bait and will describe the impact that these will have on the industry.  Here is a brief summary of what the PID’s propose:

• Carcass removal for SGAR’s, FAGR’s used in structural settings, and Cholecalciferol/Bromethalin are advisory
• Carcass removal for FGAR’s used in settings away from fields and non-structural settings is required (looks like for ground squirrels and gophers for secondary poisoning)
• Gloves will be required for almost all applications
• Respirators will be for meal baits, pelleted baits and other “loose” baits but not block/soft baits where inhalation exposure is an issue
• All products would be RUP.

We will be updating you on the progress of these issues.  We appreciate all of your support for the association

Darren Van Steenwyk, M.S., BCE
Legislative Committee Chair
Clark Pest Control
Mobile: (209) 224-4629
darrenv@clarkpest.com