News Release

At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, the Missouri Department of Agriculture will host a public hearing at which interested parties may share their input on an emergency rule to restrict the sale and use of certain pesticides in Missouri. The public hearing will take place in the Roaring River room at the East Elm Conference Center, 1730 East Elm Street, Jefferson City, Mo., 65101.

If the Department chooses to pursue an emergency rule, it could become effective as soon as April 1, 2018, and expire 180 days later. A proposed rule will be filed at the same time as an emergency rule to initiate the formal rule making process. The language in both rules will be the same. 

Those wishing to comment must register to do so at least 24 hours in advance of the public hearing by completing a form at Agriculture.Mo.Gov. Comments must pertain to the following draft emergency rule language: 

1. Pesticides that meet the conditions of this section are considered restricted use pesticides in Missouri and are only allowed to be sold or held for sale in the state from Oct. 1 of each year through April 15 of the following year.
   • Any pesticide that contains any dicamba active ingredient concentration greater than or equal to 6.5%, except if the pesticide:
     1. Contains any other broadleaf herbicide ingredient as an active ingredient; and/or
     2. Is labeled solely for use on non-agricultural use sites.
   • Any pesticide that contains any 2,4-D active ingredient concentration greater than or equal to 12%, except if the pesticide:
     1. Contains any other broadleaf herbicide ingredient as an active ingredient; 
     2. Is labeled solely for use on non-agricultural use sites; and/or
     3. Is labeled for in-crop post-emergence use in 2,4-D tolerant soybeans and cotton.
         
2. By April 30 of each year, registrants will provide to the director a report of sales for each pesticide that meets the conditions of the previous subsection sold between Oct. 1 and April 15. Each report will include:
   • Complete pesticide trade name, United States EPA registration number, and quantity sold reported by container size; and
   • Business name and address for each distributor or retail outlet to whom the pesticides were sold.
      

The Department believes this emergency rule is necessary to prevent the off-label use of specific Dicamba or 2,4-D containing products for agriculture purposes.

To learn more about the public hearing, visit Agriculture.Mo.Gov. 

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