GCSAA is again working with multiple industry partners on an urgent pesticide regulation related issue, and your help is needed. Currently, the EPA is evaluating whether to further restrict pyrethroid use for professionals. Inappropriate regulations can significantly impact your lives and livelihood, and GCSAA needs you to voice your concerns by July 7 to help the EPA better understand the important role that pyrethroids serve in your ability to provide your services and protect the public.

EPA suspended the public comment period earlier this spring and that caused some confusion. But the comment period has been reopened and it is critical EPA hear from end users of pyrethroids or risk further mitigation measures. EPA performs risk-benefit analysis on active ingredients and we need to know about the benefits of pyrethroid use at your course.

To help you craft your message, we have created a template that contains information that you may wish to communicate to the EPA. Your comments will have the greatest impact if you include technical information such as which pyrethroids you use, application rates, methods of application, and how the product is an effective tool in integrated pest management. This will help EPA refine its assumptions on how pyrethroids are really used.

Including other information on the importance of pyrethroids to your toolbox will also help EPA assess the benefits, such as efficacy, economy, resistance management and lack of alternatives (e.g. all pyrethroids are not applied at maximum label rates and the maximum number of applications to all available acres).

On behalf of the Pyrethroid Working Group, GCSAA thanks you for agreeing to voice your support of pyrethroids. Your input will provide critical information to help address concerns that the EPA's initial draft risk assessment does not consider the totality of relevant scientific data and fails to fully recognize the critical role pyrethroids play in the success of your industry and business.

Take time today to contact the EPA and submit your pyrethroid comments by July 7.

For questions, contact Chava McKeel, director of government affairs, at 800-472-7878.