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.