Proposal would make consultants share blame for mistakes
Delta Farm Press

Byline: David Bennett Farm Press Editorial Staff

A chain of responsibility is only as strong as the laws regulating its weakest link. At least that's what the backers of new rules for Arkansas crop consultants claim. Farmers and aerial applicators - claiming weariness of taking full blame for spraying mistakes while their consulting partners are untouched - have made their feelings known to both the Arkansas State Plant Board and associations they are members of.

Both the Plant Board and the Arkansas Agricultural Aviation Association (AAAA) have "rough" bills that could be polished and then introduced to the Arkansas legislature soon. Currently, in regards to pesticides, the Plant Board regulates the farmer and applicator. But no one, say critics, regulates "spoken" recommendations made by crop consultants standing between the two.

Aerial applicator bill

Ron Harrod, executive director for AAAA, says the genesis for his proposed bill was an outbreak of armyworms in wheat during the spring of 2001. At the time, Fury was recommended for use on the pest by at least several consultants/company reps working in eastern Arkansas.

An uproar ensued after it was discovered that Fury had no label for wheat. In fact, at one point, it was thought a vast portion of Arkansas' wheat crop would be deemed unusable due to co-mingling contamination. The ordeal left many farmers and aerial applicators with bitter tastes and hearings to attend.