Farmers’ Use Of Pesticides On AM Minnesota This Morning

Joe Spitzmueller with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture of Agriculture's Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division will be my guest on Friday's AM Minnesota program. For many years I have had Spitzmueller on AM Minnesota during the spring planting season. It is a good time to review rules and regulations concerning pesticide use and talk about any new regulations farmers should be aware of. Many consumers do not know how regulated pesticide use is in Minnesota.

Before a pesticide can be used in Minnesota it has to be approved by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, even if it is approved by the EPA and USDA. If it is registered as a restricted-use pesticide, farmers must have a license to purchase or use the pesticide. There is even a tax that farmers pay when they purchase fertilizer or a pesticide. That money goes into a fund to pay for waste pesticide collection, a pesticide container collection and to help pay for a clean up if there is a pesticide spill. If you have questions during the program you would like me to ask Spitzmueller, text me at (507) 838-5141.