EPA Extends Deadline for Comment on New Pesticide Rules

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the comment period for its proposed revisions to the agricultural Worker Protection Standard for an additional 60 days, until August 18, 2014.

Growers, industry, farmworker advocates and states had asked for additional time to provide input, the agency said.

"Updating the 20-year old regulation to provide more protections to the nation's two million farm workers and their families from pesticide exposure is a priority," said Jim Jones, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.

"The opportunity to revise the rule may not come again for some time, so we are committed to getting it right," Jones added.

EPA said its proposed changes "provide significant improvements" to worker training regarding the safe use of pesticides. It said workers and others near treated fields need better protection from pesticide overspray and fumes. Additionally, the environmental watchdog has proposed that children under 16 be legally barred from handling all pesticides.