State Agriculture Department Monitoring Suspected Herbicide Drift

Kentucky has Received Small Number of Complaints Compared to Nearby States

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) is monitoring complaints related to the herbicide ingredient dicamba, but the number of complaints in Kentucky is a fraction of the numbers in other states.

“Our pesticides division has visited the areas where the complaints originated to determine whether any crops or plants have been damaged,” said David Wayne, director of the KDA’s Division of Environmental Services. “We are monitoring the overall situation, working with other state departments of agriculture and industry groups, and we will take other action if the situation warrants it.”

Dicamba is an active ingredient in numerous products and new technologies on the market approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The KDA has received 10 complaints that spray applications of herbicides containing dicamba may have drifted onto other crops and plants. The KDA will closely follow the situation while maintaining its commitment that Kentucky farmers should have access to the latest technologies approved by the EPA.

Applicators of pesticides, which include herbicides, are required by law to apply products according to the directions on the label. The labels of the new products require very specific and rigorous drift mitigation measures to further reduce the potential for exposure from spray drift. Failing to apply a product according to the label constitutes a violation of state and federal regulations, and violators may be subject to monetary penalties.

The KDA regulates the use of pesticides to protect human health and the environment from unreasonable risk. Anyone who wishes to file a formal complaint with the department about pesticide usage or suspected damage from pesticides may call (502) 573-0282.