CENTENNIAL, Colo. — On Monday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented new Worker Protection Standard rules that require annual pesticide-handling training for farm workers and a number of other new requirements. Earlier in December, AFBF and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture filed a petition to delay implementation of the rules, citing EPA’s failure to deliver the final rules and associated materials to state lead agencies and Congressional Committees, which was promptly denied by the agency.

The new rules, which have drawn criticism from many farm groups since they were drafted in 2015, include a controversial “designated representative” provision which could lead to the release of confidential business information regarding the use of EPA-approved pesticides. CFB will keep members apprised of the implementation of the rules and any other developments. Contact Spencer Kimball for more information.

— Colorado Farm Bureau

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