R2.pdf

The USEPA Region 2 Pre-SFIREG meeting was held on April 30, 2019, with participants from USEPA Region 2, New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. The main topics discussed included the realignment of the USEPA Region 2 Pesticide Program, focused Worker Protection Standard (WPS) inspections, certification and WPS regulations, minimum risk pesticides, and certification and training plans. The pesticide program realignment creates a clear distinction between enforcement and grant management. Focused WPS inspections will target a subset of requirements, potentially allowing more agricultural establishments to be inspected. The USEPA is pursuing changes to the "Application Exclusion Zone" requirement in the WPS regulation and has withdrawn proposals to amend the "minimum age" and "designated representative" portions. The minimum risk pesticides regulation requires additional label information, and certification and training plans will be submitted to USEPA Region 2 for review and approval.