New pesticides rules subject of hearing
First-time violators of the The Hawaii Agriculture new rules could be issued a Department will hold a public written warning citing the hearing Nov. 1 on Maui to specific violation and any gather comments on proposed necessary corrective action. rule changes relating Wholesalers, retailers and to pesticides. other distributors of pesticide
The amendments would products can be fined up to adopt labeling requirements $5,000 per offense and have and changes established by their certificate suspended federal law, according to a for six months or longer for public hearing notice released subsequent violations. Certified last month. commercial pesticide
The hearing is scheduled applicators and other registrants for 2 to 4 p.m. in the department’s also are open to fines conference room at and possible criminal penalties. 635 Mua St. in Kahului. All comments must be sent to the The rules do not specifically department by Nov. 8. address the chemical
To view the proposed chlorpyrifos, which is found rules, visit hdoa.hawaii.gov/ in pesticides and linked to severe wp-content/uploads/2018/ developmental delays in 09/HAR-Title-4-Chap-66RAMSEYER-revised-9-252018-after-HBOAapproval.pdf. children and other health risks. In June, Hawaii became the first state in the nation to ban the use of pesticides
Changes to the rules include with the chemical. adding a new section to Written testimony on the address aerial pesticide applications; proposed rules may be removing the list of emailed to HDOA.PB@ state restricted-use pesticides hawaii.gov; or mailed to the from the rules to allow for Pesticides Branch, Department the efficient addition or removal of Agriculture, 1428 S. of high-risk pesticides; King St., Honolulu 96814; establishing procedures or via fax at (808) 9739418. for maintaining the state restricted-use pesticide If possible, submit five list external to the rules; and written copies of testimony increased oversight of experimental-use prior to the hearing. permittees. People requiring special
Other changes include accommodations at the hearing amending the definitions section may call the Department to aid rule interpretation of Agriculture at (808) 9739579. and adding requirements for Accommodation requests restricted-use pesticide reporting must be received at and use within buffer least five working days prior zones. to the hearing.