Avoid using unregistered pesticides

Many pesticides products are available, but not all products are registered and thus legal to use.

Did you know that if you use pesticides on your farm they must be registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)? Also, if you import, sell, distribute, use or dispose of unregistered pesticides, you may be in violation of federal law and CNMI Division of Environmental Quality pesticide regulations.

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), a pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest. If on your farm you use products that kill pests such as insects, fungi and weeds, these products are considered pesticides and must be registered with US EPA.

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.

Unregistered pesticides may pose added risks to anyone who applies the pesticide, fieldworkers and consumers who handle and eat the produce, and to the environment. If illegal pesticide residues are detected on your crops they may be quarantined or confiscated.

If you think you have unregistered pesticide products at your farm or business, DO NOT THROW THEM AWAY. Contact Division of Environmental Quality for information and guidance in proper disposal.
[B] Pesticide law[/B]

Pesticides are regulated by the CNMI Environmental Protection Act (Public Law 3-23) and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. Enforcement of both is the responsibility of the Division of Environmental Quality.

These laws set stringent rules governing the use of pesticides by:

* Requiring federal registration of pesticides sold or distributed in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

* Prohibiting the use of any pesticide in a manner inconsistent with product labeling.

* Restricting the sale and use of certain hazardous pesticides to licensed dealers and certified applicator.

* Prohibiting the importation of unregistered pesticides.

For more information on pesticides and their use, contact the Pesticide program at the Division of Environmental Quality at 664-8500/1 or via email at environment@deq.gov.mp. [B][I](DEQ)[/I][/B]