Safeguarding your business against pesticide violations

[B][I]First of a three-part series[/I][/B]

Businesses can avoid pesticide violations by complying with CNMI regulations. The Pesticides Regulations were established to control the importation, distribution, sale and use of pesticides to prevent environmental contamination and protect public health.

The pesticide program at the Division of Environmental Quality and the US Environmental Protection Agency classify pesticides as either General Use or Restricted Use.

General Use Pesticides are those that, when used as directed by the label, should not cause adverse health effects to the user. General Use Pesticides may be used by anyone.

Restricted Use Pesticides are those that may pose an unreasonable risk to the user or environment even when used as directed on the label. These pesticides must be used by or under the direct supervision of certified applicators (persons certified in pesticide application) and are not available to the general public.

Malathion, Dibrom, Sevin, Lannate, and Pounce are insecticides commonly used by CNMI farmers. Round-Up, a herbicide and Duersban, an insecticide, are commonly used to control weeds and ants on golf courses.

[B]IMPORTING PESTICIDES[/B]

Businesses or persons desiring to import a pesticide into the CNMI shall submit a Notice of Intent to Import pesticides and devices to the Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

The Notice of Intent to Import must be submitted at least ten working days prior to the arrival of the shipment, accompanied by the filing fee.

Upon arrival of the pesticide shipment into the CNMI, the person or company must submit a Notice of Arrival of pesticide and devices shipment.

Pesticide shipment may be detained or denied access if the importer fails to submit a DEQ approved notice of intent to import and notice of arrival of pesticide products. These products may then be confiscated and exported to the originating country or disposed of by DEQ at the expense of the importer.

[B]USING OR SELLING OR DISTRIBUTING PESTICIDES [/B]

Application fees are required for using and applying pesticides. For rates, visit www.deq.gov.mp

Persons engaged in the sale or distribution of restricted use pesticides and who is not a certified applicator shall obtain a Pesticide Dealer’s License Application from DEQ. This application fee is two hundred dollars. This license must be renewed each year at least thirty days before the expiration date.

[B]EPA REGISTERED PESTICIDES [/B]

Legal products are registered with the EPA and have on the label an EPA Registration Number (EPA Reg. No.) and an EPA Establishment Number (EPA Est. No.). The label must have complete instructions including where the product can be used, application instructions, what personal protective equipment to wear, and proper storage and disposal of the pesticide. These instructions must be in English. Importation of products with labelling other than English is a violation and may result in your business being fined.

[I]For general information, visit the US EPA office of Pesticides at www.epa.gov/pesticides. DEQ’s pesticide program can be reached at 664-8500 or visit www.deq.gov.mp. (DEQ)[/I]