The Migrant Clinicians Network, Farmworker Justice, and other organizations petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require that manufacturers make their pesticide product labels available in both English and Spanish. This is an important step to better protect farmworker health. EPA is seeking public comment before responding to the petition. Comments are being accepted by EPA until June 28, 2011 via www.regulations.gov for EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0014. The direct link is: http://www.regulations.gov/#!searchResults;rpp=50;po=0;s=EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0014. The original EPA announcement in the Federal Registrar can be found at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0014-0001.
We ask that you provide your opinions to EPA to address their questions and support this important petition. Currently pesticide labels are only required to be in English. This policy has a disproportionate impact on farmworkers, particularly pesticide applicators, who primarily speak Spanish, with little or no ability to speak or read English. As a consequence, they cannot read the pesticide labels and do not understand the pesticide use directions, the personal protective equipment (PPE) required or the instructions to avoid contamination of water bodies. The current provision, which directs Spanish-speaking workers themselves to get the label translated, is grossly inadequate and does not promote risk management. Without the benefit of a foreign language label, these farmworkers are ill- equipped to protect themselves, others, or the environment.
To facilitate making comments, you may download the talking points as well as a template letter that are posted below. Also, Farmworker Justice is drafting a detailed policy analysis and sign on letter that we will circulate in June. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Amy Liebman at aliebman@migrantclinician.org or Virginia Ruiz at vruiz@farmworkerjustice.org.
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