Mini Issues
June 13, 2011 As a group, ag retailers are some of the best planners I know. They constantly are thinking about the season ahead, how it might play out and what this will ultimately mean for their crop input inventory planning and preparation.
That’s why some of the things I heard at the recent Mini-Bulk Summit Part 2 were disturbing. Held last week in St. Louis and hosted by the Mid America CropLife Association, the summit was very well attended, with more than 100 participants on hand to learn about the new government-mandated mini-bulk rule changes, which go into effect on August 17. According to several heads of the industry’s major state associations, many of their members remain unprepared for the new regulations and how it will impact their ability to use mini-bulks in their operations. “The attitude among many of our members is ‘I’ll worry about it on August 10,'” said one state association executive. “They have plenty of unanswered questions and aren’t sure how they should deal with them.”
Luckily, one of the other speakers at the event was Nancy Fitz, chemical engineer for the EPA Office of Pesticide Programs – the agency responsible for the new regulations and seeing that they are enforced. Fitz was kind enough to address many of the major unanswered questions ag retailers may have about their mini-bulks. For starters, she said that grower-owned mini-bulks are not exempt from the new rules. “No matter who owns the mini-bulk, it has to comply,” said Fitz.
However, mini-bulks used by custom applicators to transport crop protection products for use in their rigs do not. “These are defined as service containers,” she said.
She also noted that any mini-bulks that are found to be non-compliant with the new regulations won’t necessarily be cited. “They are only in violation if you use them,” said Fitz.
For more information on the mini-bulk rule changes coming in August, visit www.epa.org or www.croplifeamerica.org.
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