Tennessee Redefines Herbicides/ Sidesteps Licensing

All pesticides, herbicides and fungicides, just to name a few, must be chosen, mixed and applied correctly to avoid any unwanted effects to plants, animals or humans.

The Tennessee Senate has proposed a change to the code defining ?EUR??,,????'??non-restricted use of herbicides?EUR??,,????'?? that, in effect, means people who are not licensed can apply pesticides. This was accomplished by deleting the last sentence of the existing code and substituting the following language: ?EUR??,,????'??This includes but is not limited to, insecticide, fungicide, bacteriacide, desiccant, defoliant, adjuvant or nematocide; but does not include non-restricted use of herbicide.?EUR??,,????'?? It is further amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated item: ?EUR??,,????'??'Non-restricted use herbicide' means any over-the-counter substance or mixture of substances, or chemical intended for defoliating or desiccating plants, the efficacy data on which indicates that it does not have adverse effect on people and/or the environment. This act will take effect July 1, 2005, the public welfare requiring it.?EUR??,,????'?? Testing and licensing should be required by applicators as a business. There are differences, according to the ALCA and PLANET, between restricted-use pesticides and general-use products, and because lawn care and landscaping professionals use many different products under varying conditions, landcare professionals feel strongly that proper licensing regulations should remain in effect.