Pesticide use in NC gets strict new record rules

RALEIGH -- State officials are tightening rules on pesticide use in North Carolina. The North Carolina Pesticide Board has approved rules that require better record keeping from farmers and other licensed pesticide users. They're now required to record the date and time of every pesticide use and keep the records for two years. The old rules required the date and approximate time pesticides were applied, and records had to be kept just 30 days. The new standards are aimed at increasing the protection of farm workers from pesticide exposure. The changes were mandated by legislation adopted by the General Assembly last year in response to a state task force's recommendations. The board approved the rule changes at its Tuesday meeting. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)