WASHINGTON, D.C. — A voluntary U.S. EPA program designed to reduce chemical drift will save farmers money and protect the environment, an agency official said.
The Drift Reduction Technology (DRT) program will allow manufacturers to verify through testing that their products will reduce drift by at least 25 percent. Once verified, the technologies – including such items as spray nozzles, shields and drift reduction chemicals – will be rated by the EPA using a star system. Manufacturers will be able to display the ratings on their product labeling.
The EPA announced the program last month. "It’s a win-win-win for manufacturers, the public and the environment and farmers," said Jay Ellenberger, deputy director of pesticide programs for the EPA’s field and external affairs division.
"We’re hearing a lot of positive comments from the farming community. This will save farmers money and keep these products on their crops, which will reduce liability risk, wildlife kills and complaints from neighbors."
Under the program, manufacturers seeking to participate will have their technologies tested at a reliable facility, Ellenberger said. Products should be tested in low- and high-speed wind tunnels to simulate application by ground boom equipment and aircraft, according to the agency.
The EPA said it would also foresee field studies, especially for larger technologies such as shielded sprayers.
Data from the testing will be submitted to the EPA.
The agency will review the material and rate the technology based on the amount of drift reduction, using 1-4 stars, Ellenberger explained.
For example, for a spray nozzle the agency will compare the results of testing on a participating nozzle to a standard nozzle.
If the participating nozzle reduces drift 25 percent or more, it will receive one star. To receive four stars, the nozzle will need to reduce drift by 90 percent or more.
The drift-reduction ratings could show up on labels by fall 2015, EPA stated.
Manufacturers opting to test technologies such as nozzles will pay for the testing, but there is no fee to submit the results to the EPA for review. Pesticide manufacturers seeking to change their label to add information regarding proper use with drift reduction equipment will pay a fee for the label change, something they’re already used to doing anytime they request such an alteration, Ellenberger said.
"There’s been a desire of growers and applicators, and people who live nearby, to reduce spray drift," Ellenberger said. "State governments and the EPA receive hundreds, if not thousands, of complaints. It has always been a desire of ours to see what we can do. We saw this as a great opportunity."
The development of the program began about six years ago, he noted. The agency sought input from chemical and equipment manufacturers, the USDA and university scientists. It also examined similar programs already in effect in places such as Germany and the United Kingdom.
"We worked with people all over the world," he stated. "We talked to some of the world’s best experts on spray technologies. We adopted what made sense for this country."
The current testing protocols are only for field and row crops, EPA said, adding the program may be expanded later to include vineyard and orchard crops.
Monsanto Co. officials are evaluating their participation in the program, said John C. Combest, a company spokesman.
"The DRT program was developed over a several-year period with the opportunity for public input by all interested stakeholders," he stated. "A program that encourages and accelerates the development and utilization of spray technologies that have been demonstrated to significantly reduce spray drift will benefit the applicator, the grower and the public."
A spokeswoman for Indiana-based Dow AgroSciences referred questions about the program to CropLife America (CLA). Officials with CLA are happy to see the program begin, said Mike Leggett, senior director of environmental policy with the organization.
While the EPA’s program is patterned after similar efforts in other countries, "(the agency) took time to develop their own protocols," he said. "They sought out stakeholders and engaged chemical manufacturers. They were very inclusive."
Programs have been successfully used by growers in other countries to reduce drift, but Leggett said it remains to be seen how effective the EPA program will be. "My sense is that everybody’s pretty enthusiastic that the DRT program has been launched," he said. "We do have some pretty active best management practices for reducing drift. This is just another mechanism.
"Ag retailers are definitely aware of what’s available. With DRT, farmers will know they’re getting the efficacy that they need, the right spray quality and that they’re minimizing the potential for drift."
The cost to manufacturers for some of the testing may be expensive, Leggett said. He doubts, however, those potential costs would deter a company from working to get the DRT rating system listed on its label.
CLA represents companies that develop, manufacture, formulate and distribute crop protection chemicals for agriculture and pest management in the United States, according to its website.
