Northwest Report November 9, 2009 The Environmental Protection Agency has rolled out proposed guidance for new pesticide labeling to reduce off-target spray and drift. The EPA says, the new instructions, when implemented, will improve the clarity and consistency of pesticide labels and help prevent harm from spray drift. The new instructions will prohibit drift that could cause adverse health or environmental effects.

In a second Federal Register notice, EPA is requesting comment on a petition filed recently by environmental and farm worker organizations. The petitioners ask EPA to evaluate children’s exposure to pesticide drift and to adopt, on an interim basis, requirements for “no-spray” buffer zones near homes, schools, day-care centers, and parks. EPA officials say they will evaluate this new petition and take whatever action may be appropriate.

The U.S. Senate Finance Committee held a hearing last week on the nomination of Isi Siddiqui to be chief agricultural trade negotiator in the U.S. Trade Representative’s office. Critics say if confirmed Siddiqui would favor big agribusiness over small farms and organic farmers. Siddiqui spent time during the hearing defending himself. And Senate Ag Committee Chair Blanche Lincoln, who is also on the Finance Committee defended Siddiqui as well.

Lincoln: “I respect Dr. Siddiqui because he has very effectively advocated a responsible position on food and agriculture policies that are embraced by the vast majority people in America and around the world.”

Siddiqui was a senior trade official in the Clinton Administration.

Now with today’s Food for Thought here is Lacy Gray.

Thanks Lacy. I’m Bob Hoff for Greg Martin and that’s the Northwest Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.