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Consumers for Responsible Pesticide and Pest Management Regulations

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Category:Home & Garden
Members:1 Members
Group type:Public
Description:Have you had trouble with a pest control company? Let's discuss it and try to bring about change. Pest management companies (i.e. exterminators, PCOs or PMPs) have large lobbying groups at both the state and national level but consumers remain silent when most legislation is passed. Lobbyists think about what's best for the businesses they represent. Consumers need a voice. Have you ever: felt like pesticides caused an adverse health effect; been denied a damage claim related to termites; been given a "clean" report on a home infested with termites; paid for services you didn't receive then this is the place to share those issues.
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What is a "label" state?

On 28th of Feb, 2012 by Imbugginyounow
Replies (1)
On 2012-02-28 04:25:10 by Imbugginyounow
When discussing pesticide laws and regulations, you might hear about "label" states. "Label" states are states where regulations are minimal because lawmakers and policymakers believe the pesticide label is sufficient enough to ensure proper application of pesticides. If you live in a "label" state, you'll probably find minimum regulations related to the use of pesticides as well as minimum protections for customers of pesticide businesses. Virginia is a "label" state. There are no minimum treatment requirements for termite treatments on existing homes. There are no laws or regulations that specifically say a company has to be licensed to inspect a home for wood-destroying organisms or to advertise their services. Sales inspectors and termite inspectors are not required to be licensed unless they actually recommend the use of a pesticide. Even companies that use heat treatments or other alternative methods to control bed bugs do not need a pesticide business license in Virginia since they do not apply pesticides. Additionally, contracts and warranties related to pest management (bed bug treatments, termite treatments and damage clauses, etc) are not regulated except when a consumer takes someone to court or attempts mediation. Other states, like North Carolina are not "label" states. They have laws and regulations which provide minimum termite treatment standards as well as guidance on contracts, warranties, inspections and wood-destroying insect reports (WDIRs). In states such as NC, the same program that regulates the pesticide businesses also handles complaints related to contracts, warranties and WDIRs. Wouldn't Virginians be better with more regulations and not less in this area?
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Why does it matter which Board is responsible for regulating pesticides in Virginia?

On 28th of Feb, 2012 by Imbugginyounow
Replies (1)
On 2012-02-28 04:07:51 by Imbugginyounow
It is essentially about "checks and balances". In Virginia, pesticides were once regulated by the Virginia Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services (Ag Board). The Virginia Pesticide Control Board was formed as an independent policy board in 1989 to provide oversight of the pesticide program in Virginia because the Ag Board was not fulfilling it's responsibilities in regulating pesticides. One point legislators are trying to give to support the elimination of the PCB is that there will still be a pesticide program within Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS). That may be true, but there was a program pre-1989 as well, although not as effective or focused (investigators didn't just check pesticide businesses) as it is today. To answer the question, it is not about who enforces the regulations but who writes them. Pesticides are not potatoes or cow feed, they are toxic substances and any board that regulates them needs members who can understand their impact on human health and the environment. Currently, the Ag Board has no such members. While it is understandable that the regulated community should have a voice in regulations and policies that impact their businesses, their consumers need to have an equal voice. The Pesticide Control Board is more balanced than the Ag Board which will have over 50% of its members (8 of 15 seats) representing farmers, 2 for commercial pesticide businesses and only 3 seats for general consumers (additional one was lost to a farmer this year).
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