This announcement was posted on the mosquito list. I have not yet verified the accuracy of the information, but felt is was important enough to pass on immediately FWIW. If true, it would be of great benefit to the bees. Current labels are not universally obeyed; and some states even have official programs to circumvent compliance with bee protection labels. These would make the bee protection much more specific and possibly harder to circumvent. [log in to unmask] Dave Green PO Box 1200, Hemingway, SC 29554 Copy of the announcement: Subj: Proposed Label Changes Date: 96-09-10 20:55:38 EDT From: [log in to unmask] (Don Menard) Sender: [log in to unmask] Reply-to: [log in to unmask] =============================================== Lucas Terracina of Calcasieu Parish Mosquito Control posted the following on Byteline that will have a detrimental affect on most mosquito control operations if enacted. Before these proposals go into effect, make your feelings known to your legislators and to Jim Bach whose address is included below. Thanks, Don Menard [log in to unmask] =============================================== PROPOSED CHANGE FOR BEE STATEMENTS - ON LABELS The EPA is proposing changes in the environmental hazard statements on pesticide labels for the protection of bees and other beneficial insects. EPA is proposing that all labels be changed if a pesticide is toxic to insects that are beneficial to crops, as shown in research data, or if the product is intended for application from bud through bloom or foliar application to agricultural crops, forests, shade trees or ornamentals, or for mosquito abatement. Any pesticide that meets any of the above criteria will have a precautionary statement on the label. To MINIMIZE BEE KILLS, pesticide products that are toxic to bees will be required to include one of two statements on the label to protect bees. The statement used will depend on whether the pesticide has displayed an extended residual toxicity. The two samples shown are proposed label statements. Some changes are likely before final statements are adopted. These label statements may be added to pesticide labels within one or two years. Comments on this proposal, prior to the proposal being published in the Federal Register for public comment, may be addressed to: Jim Bach Washington Dept. Of Agriculture Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560 phone # 306-902-1922 or Fax 306-902-2094 _______________________________________________________________ PROSPSED STATEMENT #1 PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENT IF EXTENDED RESIDUAL TOXICITY IS DISPLAYED (i.e.) Carbofuran, Malathion ULV) This product is toxic to bees exposed to application or residues. Unless this product is used in accordance with a state program for the protection of bees or as otherwise stated on this label, DO NOT allow this product to come in contact either directly or through drift to blooming crops or blooming weeds. ________________________________________________________________ PROPOSED STATEMENT #2 PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENT IF EXTENDED RESIDUAL TOXICITY IS NOT DISPLAYED (i.e.) Carbaryl, Endosulfan) This product is toxic to bees. Unless this product is used in accordance with a state program for the protection of bees or as otherwise stated on this label. DO NOT allow this product to come in contact either directly or through drift to blooming crops or blooming weeds between 2 hours before sunrise and 2 hours after sunset. We received the information from Doug Johnson, Administrator, Cascade County Weed and Mosquito Management District in Great Falls, Montana. His phone number is (406) 454-6920, fax 454-6922 Doug got the information from a recent Montana State Department of Agriculture Newsletter. Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Tagline Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Gravity: Not just a good idea, it's the law. _____________________________________________________________________ Bee Protection: Not just a good idea, it's the law. -DLGreen