How can farmers dispose of pesticides safely and within the law?

Farms can be intensive users of pesticides and chemicals. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) sets the minimum federal standard; states can be more stringent if they wish. FIFRA regulates sales of pesticides, production methods, and registration criteria. Most disputes in this highly regulated area of law are in the labeling and packaging.

Farmers need to be diligent in properly disposing of pesticide containers in the manner specified on their labels.

Additionally, farmers and ranchers who employ the use of farm laborers must use precautions so that the laborers are fully protected. The EPA publishes a very useful guide entitled "The Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Producers- How to Comply: What Employers Need to Know".

The farmer/rancher should check to see if their state has controls in place that monitor use and distribution of pesticides. One salient concern is drift management to alleviate harm to neighboring farms or residential areas.