HR0421

LRB096 12958 JDS 26967 r






1

HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
2
    WHEREAS, Agricultural pesticide products in Illinois have 
3
been proven to protect and improve crop yields by controlling 
4
weed competition, lessening insect damage, and enhancing plant 
5
health; and
 
6
    WHEREAS, Aerial application is a vital part of the 
7
agrichemical supply and service industry in Illinois; and

 
8
    WHEREAS, Often farmers have few alternatives to using 
9
aerial spraying as the timely application of pesticide products 
10
is vital to ensure the product's effectiveness in protecting 
11
and enhancing crop production; and

 
12
    WHEREAS, It is extremely important for the agrichemical 
13
supply and service industry to continue to demonstrate to the 
14
general public that it is professional and responsible in its 
15
application of pesticides; and

 
16
    WHEREAS, The Illinois Department of Agriculture has 
17
authority under the Illinois Pesticide Act to administer and 
18
enforce the regulations pertaining to the application of 
19
pesticides; and

 
20
    WHEREAS, Persons who use or supervise the application of 
 


 






HR0421
- 2 -
LRB096 12958 JDS 26967 r




1
pesticides for hire must obtain a commercial applicator license 
2
from the Illinois Department of Agriculture; and

 
3
    WHEREAS, The Illinois Department of Agriculture has 
4
authority to investigate claims of pesticide misuse and to take 
5
statutory action against persons who have misused pesticides; 
6
and
 
7
    WHEREAS, An ever increasing number of residents in 
8
agricultural areas are not tied to the agricultural land 
9
surrounding their residences and do not have any knowledge of 
10
what or when pesticides may be applied aerially to the property 
11
surrounding them; and

 
12
    WHEREAS, If an incident, such as drift,  occurs, it may be 
13
advantageous to have a list of the pesticides that are commonly 
14
applied by air and first aid information for suspected exposure 
15
made available on the Department's website; and



 
16
    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois and the agricultural 
17
industry should work to put an information system in place to 
18
describe the crop protection products commonly applied by air; 
19
therefore, be it

 
20
    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
21
NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
 


 






HR0421
- 3 -
LRB096 12958 JDS 26967 r




1
the members of the House of Representatives urge the Illinois 
2
Department of Agriculture, with the assistance of industry 
3
groups representing agricultural pesticide users, to create an 
4
informational program to help the general public obtain timely 
5
information regarding agricultural pesticides, including the 
6
categories and types of agricultural pesticides that are 
7
normally applied aerially in the State, the methods by which 
8
these products are applied, and the pests or diseases they are 
9
designed to treat, information on how to access product 
10
Material Safety Data Sheets, information on first aid 
11
procedures to follow in case of exposure, and information on 
12
how to contact the appropriate authorities, such as the 
13
Department of Agriculture, to request additional information 
14
or to report a possible case of pesticide drift or misuse; and 
15
be it further

 
16
    RESOLVED, That this system should be accessible by the 
17
public through the Department's website and existing telephone 
18
notification procedures during normal business hours; and be it 
19
further
 
20
    RESOLVED, That during non-business hours and on weekends,  a 
21
recorded message should provide emergency contact information; 
22
and be it further
 
23
    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
 


 






HR0421
- 4 -
LRB096 12958 JDS 26967 r




1
delivered to the Director of Agriculture.