Recordkeeping Requirements for Certified Applicators of Federally Restricted Use Pesticides

The Agricultural Marketing Service, United States Department of Agriculture, is amending its regulations governing recordkeeping of federally restricted use pesticides by certified applicators. The final regulations revise the definitions of the terms ``medical emergency'' and ``licensed health care professional,'' provide new requirements for recording the location of ``spot applications'' of federally restricted use pesticides, reduce the time period for a certified applicator to make a record of the application of a federally restricted use pesticide, clarify the circumstances under which licensed health care professionals may obtain, utilize, and release restricted use pesticide records or record information, and clarify the penalty provisions in the regulations. The changes to the rule ensure that the regulations are consistent with the objectives of section 1491 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. The changes should further ensure accuracy of records of the application of federally restricted use pesticides, and improve the ability of licensed health care professionals to provide medical treatment to an individual who may have been exposed to a federally restricted use pesticide.