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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Dan Sullivan
May 6, 2004	(406) 444-5400 TTY (406) 444-4687

Be Informed When Selecting Farmland Pesticides, Applicators

HELENA, Mont. — Spring is a busy season in agriculture, but it's not a time to cut corners when it comes to purchasing and applying crop chemicals.

Each year, the Montana Department of Agriculture learns of telemarketing scams involving pesticides that are unregistered, over-priced or poorly suited to Montana. Problems also can occur when unlicensed applicators are chosen to apply pesticides. And additional care in the storage and transportation of crop chemicals should be considered in the new era of homeland security threats.

Unexpected telephone solicitations for any product should cause consumers to be wary, says department Director Ralph Peck. If a product is being offered at unbelievably low prices or is described as better than a name-brand product, how can the truthfulness of these claims be verified?

Often, products being pitched are ineffective for the purposes being claimed, or they are home-and-garden products advertised as agricultural-use chemicals.

Risks in the temptation to save a few dollars also extend to choosing a pesticide applicator, Peck says. Pesticide applicators must be licensed by the department. Commercial pesticide applicators have the proper training for the safe and effective use of crop chemicals, and must present proof of financial responsibility to be licensed.

Asking a few questions, and verifying the answers, is the best way to thwart telemarketing and direct-sales scams involving pesticides. The Montana Department of Agriculture recommends asking these questions before agreeing to purchase anything:

What is the seller's Montana pesticide dealer license number? Is the product registered for use in the state?
What is the product's U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration number? Printed labels and material safety data sheets should be available for inspection. With the number, buyers can look up the label on an EPA website at: http://oaspub.epa.gov/pestlabl/ppls.home.
What is the name and percentage of the active ingredient in the product? How does this compare with other products registered for the same use?
What is the sales company's name, address and telephone number?

The best advice, Peck says, is to buy pesticides only from a licensed, reputable Montana pesticide dealer who can offer advice, printed EPA-approved labels and service after the sale.

Crop chemicals should always be secured and not left unattended in fields or in readily accessible structures.

Producers who want more information about pesticide and applicator licensing in Montana, or who would like to report a questionable sales call, are urged to contact the Montana Department of Agriculture at (406) 444-3144 or by e-mail at agr@mt.gov.

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