Restricted Use Agricultural Remedy, and the impact on Pecan Farmers

A restricted agricultural remedy means an agricultural remedy for which the registrar, out of concern for human health or environmental risks, has set out additional information to be shown on the label concerning essential conditions in respect of the display, distribution or limitations on use of, or qualifications of persons who use the agricultural remedy.

The question: Why am I reading this in a SAPPA newsletter, if you are using any Fungicides containing Fentin hydroxide or Chlorothalonil, Herbicides containing Paraquat or Diquat, Insecticides containing Abamectin, Beta-Cyfluthrin or Lamda-cyhalothrin or the Nematicide, Fenamiphos as active ingredients then this article is crucial to read.

The office of the Registrar (Act No. 36of 1947), Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), published newly defined “restricted agricultural remedies”. From information received from Croplife and our understanding of the information received, the following products are affected by this new regulation.

See the PCO Form here: https://sappaza.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/SAPPA/EV9gYfVqncxFu7tlW2roOyEBaNTMZ4wzgYWI8dn6vBxCUg?e=cuKBlJ

The list of Restricted Use Agricultural Remedy registered on Pecans:

Selling a restricted agricultural remedy to a person who is not certified or qualified to use such remedy will constitute a criminal offence and could lead to prosecution and the cancellation of registrations. Compliance is mandatory and essential to ensure the ongoing availability of these products to farmers.

According to the “Pest Control Operator Regulations” of 18 February 2011, employees who perform pest control for their employer on the employer’s property generally do not need to be registered as pest control operators (PCOs), however employees who handle restricted agricultural remedies must be registered as pest control operators or perform such duties under the direct supervision of a registered pest control operator. This means that a registered PCO must be physically present at the time and place where restricted agricultural remedies are applied.

There are ongoing discussions between DALRRD, Croplife and industry bodies like SAPPA on this matter. We are awaiting further information from DALRRD and Croplife on when this regulation will start to take effect. For further information on how to obtain your PCO certificate please see the attached document “PCO Forms 2023”. We will update you as soon as any new information becomes available.