IT'S TIME FOR FARMERS TO STAND UP AND BE COUNTED!

Rules governing the use of pesticides among Maine producers are rapidly reaching the point where it may no longer be worthwhile for farmers to remain in business. During the last session the legislature passed LD 1293, which imposed spray notification rules on producers for use of air carrier spray equipment which are so extensive, intrusive and difficult to comply with that many farmers will no longer be able to operate. These rules mandate notification timetables that are impossible to effect, notification requirement distances which bear no relationship to occupied buildings, and notification requirements that mandate spray dates and products well before a grower has any idea what insect and disease pressure might be during that season. The rules place the unreasonable expectation on applicators to take the initiative to locate and notify everyone within a quarter of a mile of a possible spray site, whether residents care or not, rather than asking people in the area who may be concerned to initiate the request for notification. The result of all this may require notifications of hundreds, even thousands of folks around some farming operations. These rules are now law.   Farmers were so upset with LD 1293 that the legislature has consented to accept another bill to address some of these problems in this present session. But the new bill (LD 1547) is still woefully inadequate. It shortens the required advance notification period, permits less specificity on spray products to be used, adds language to consider whether occupied buildings actually exist in the required notification areas, and excludes backpack sprayers. But it still requires producers of tractor mounted air carrier equipment to warn all residents within a quarter of a mile that hazardous substances may be used in their neighborhood and implies that for their safety they might want to take steps to be prepared or get out. In effect it is a bill designed to create unreasonable fears among neighbors in a farming community.   THIS BILL IS NOT ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY; IT IS ABOUT ANTI-PESTICIDE ACTIVISM. And it affects not just conventional farmers, but commercial organic producers as well. Present pesticide laws provide ample protection for the public. Pesticide products are tested and registered, law requires the label to be followed, applicators are trained and licensed, and BPC inspectors assure compliance.   THIS BILL WILL BE HEARD ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 22 AT 9:30 IN ROOM 206 AT THE CROSSOFFICEBUILDING. IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU BE THERE. BRING FRIENDS AND FAMILY. WE NEED AN ENORMOUS SHOW OF FORCE. LEGISLATORS NEED TO KNOW THAT WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO OPERATE WITH THIS LEVEL OF UNNECESSARY REGULATION. IT HAS TO STOP. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.   Farm Bureau members should contact their commodity groups. Do anything you can do to turn out others in the farming community. Organize transportation to Augusta on Friday. Let's reiterate to the Legislature that Farm Bureau is a major force in Maine agriculture, we're mad as hell, and we're not going to take it any more. OUR WAY OF LIFE AND OUR SURVIVAL AS FARMERS REQUIRES A CHANGE OF DIRECTION when it comes to pesticide issues. DON'T LET THE ACTIVISTS DRIVE US OUT OF BUSINESS. If we fail on Friday, the activists will be back.  The folks behind LD 1293 have made it known that they are targeting hydraulic boom sprayers next.