By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent

PEORIA, Ill. — Newspaper reports of two children allegedly exposed to chemical drift from aerial spraying of pesticides in the district of Illinois state Rep. Dan Moffitt (R-Gilson) in 2008 has led to a public hearing that could result in new regulations affecting crop dusting firms and farmers.

The hearing Sept. 30, before the Illinois Senate Agriculture Committee in Room 409 of the Capitol Building in Springfield at 10 a.m., will allow public input regarding aerial applications and other instances of chemical drift – including ground applications.

“Agricultural chemicals are valuable tools that increase crop yield and quality. However, chemical drift can create serious problems for the people and businesses downwind and downstream of farms that use agricultural chemicals. The chemicals present health risks to children, the elderly and people with asthma,” Sen. David Koehler (D-Peoria), who is a member of the Illinois Senate Agriculture Committee, told Farm World.

“They can also damage organic crops and fisheries. The goal of this subject matter hearing is to learn more about chemical drift and to begin working toward a compromise that will protect the livelihoods of farmers and the health and safety of their neighbors.”

The public is encouraged to submit written testimony through the office of Sen. Mike Frerichs (D-Chicago), chair of the Illinois Senate Agriculture Committee – he may be reached at 217-782-2507 – for consideration during the hearing. Oral testimony from the public will be allowed during the meeting in Springfield as time permits.
“Although (aerial application) has been in place for a long time, we are seeing its long-term effects manifested in the health of our citizens and receiving complaints that existing guidelines are not sufficient,” said Frerichs, in an Illinois Senate news release announcing the hearing.

Representatives from the Illinois Agricultural Aviation Assoc. (IAAA) and the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Assoc. (IFCA) will have a presence at the meeting. Both organizations insist that aerial spraying of crop fields has never been safer or more regulated.
The IAAA and IFCA accused a central Illinois newspaper of attacking their respective industries without reason, but officials with both organizations say they welcome the opportunity for a public hearing.

“The Peoria Journal Star (is) not presenting factual information” regarding instances of chemical drift, said Rick Reed, IAAA executive director. “They have no concept of Illinois agriculture, which is the biggest business in the state.”

IFCA President Jean Payne accused “a central Illinois newspaper” of “providing a launching pad for controversy” regarding the incident involving the two children, which was never verified by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “In our opinion, this newspaper elevated the issue; for what reasons, we’re not really sure,” she said.
Payne and Reed said new regulations, including the possibility of requiring 24 hours’ notice to neighbors before aerial applications can be delivered, would be unnecessary and burdensome.

“There are provisions in place to deal with spray drift and make people whole if they receive damage,” said Payne. “We feel very strongly the mechanisms currently in place (are adequate).”
Reed said 24-hour notification of neighbors would prevent applicators from responding in a timely manner to emergency calls from farmers to crop fields experiencing sudden insect infestations or afflicted with quick-spreading plant diseases.

He said his company often responds to such calls the same day, weather permitting.

“(24-hour notification) would have a significant impact on yield and on Illinois agriculture,” he said, before adding that he understands the need for the hearing and welcomes it.

“I applaud Senator Koehler because as a state senator he has to respond to the concerns of his constituency,” said Reed, “but when the facts are laid out on the table, the Senate investigative committee will find they don’t have a problem. There is a lot of emotion out there with no facts to back it up. There’s nothing broke that needs to be fixed.”

Payne said the hearing will represent a great opportunity for the chemical industry to explain the steps they take to ensure public safety and land stewardship, and to highlight the advances in technology the industry has achieved over the past few decades.