The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) is pleased to report the collection of over 10.5 tons of waste pesticides at this year’s pesticide waste collection events. These events are a free, statewide service UDAF provides to the agricultural community, pesticide professionals and the public. 

At this year’s events, held in Bothwell, Salt Lake City and Richfield, the pesticide waste collected included expired and otherwise unusable pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and more. Over time, packaging often degrades leading to the potential for leaks and environmental contamination. This year in particular noted an uptick in the collection of insecticides, which usually target the nervous systems of pests and can be particularly dangerous if misused or leaked leading to potential environmental and public health concerns.

“At these events, we’ve collected a number of materials that are unsafely packaged and oftentimes many decades old. By collecting expired, noncompliant, leaky or

otherwise unusable pesticides now, we’re able to prevent the pesticides of the past becoming a problem for future generations,” says UDAF Pesticide Program Manager Henry Nahalewski.

UDAF would like to extend a special thanks to our partners in these events, Clean Harbors Environmental and the Utah Department of Transportation for their continued support in facilitating these successful collection efforts.

In accordance with Governor Herbert’s executive order to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food will be operating with limited on-site staff for the coming weeks.

For assistance, we advise calling ahead to (801) 982-2200 or by visiting this website to conduct your needs via our online services.

–  –  –

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF), which provides regulatory oversight of all disinfectants and sanitizers other than hand sanitizer and wipes, would like to issue a warning to consumers to beware of claims related to the use of sanitizers and disinfectants against COVID-19.

With the increased use of sanitizers and disinfectants in the months following the emergence of COVID-19, UDAF inspectors have found numerous improperly labeled or repackaged sanitizers, the improper use of sanitizers and a number of fraudulent claims, particularly those advertising effectiveness against coronavirus and long residuals. UDAF Pesticide Program Manager Henry Nahalewski, “The fact is, painfully few disinfectants will last beyond the time they’re wet.”

UDAF personnel are conducting outreach visits to assist companies with compliance as well as educational outreach to institutions and businesses using these products, such as long-term care facilities, schools, etc., to ensure application instructions are being properly followed. As always, proper use is of critical importance, particularly the compliance of a product’s “wet time.” Many products require a wet time of up to 10 minutes and will not be effective if wiped away sooner.

Before purchasing a sanitizing or disinfecting product, consumers should look for EPA certification by locating the “EPA Registration Number,” often found on the back of a product’s label near the manufacturer’s address, and for presence on the EPA’s List N to select disinfectants proven effective against coronavirus.

UDAF is here to help. We encourage institutions and businesses who would like guidance on these products to please contact the UDAF Pesticide Program at 801-982-2300 or email UDAF-pesticide@utah.gov to be put in touch with a local compliance specialist.

For more information including a list helpful links, visit: https://ag.utah.gov/disinfectants/

More than 45 years after gray wolves were first protected, as populations have recovered, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is delisting the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act (ESA). State and tribal wildlife management agency professionals will resume responsibility for sustainable management and protection of delisted gray wolves in states where wolves occur. The Service based its final determination to remove all gray wolves from the list of ESA-protected species on the best science available, including the latest information about the wolf’s current and historical distribution in the contiguous United States. This final rule excludes Mexican wolves, which remain listed under the ESA.

“Today’s action reflects the Trump Administration’s continued commitment to species conservation based on sound science and facts,” said David Bernhardt, Secretary of the Interior. “After over 45 years as a listed species, the gray wolf has greatly exceeded all conservation goals for recovery. By delisting the gray wolf today, we can return management of wolf populations to the states.”

“I’m very appreciative of the Trump administration’s timely transfer of the management responsibility of the gray wolf back to the states. We look forward to working with organizations within our state to implement the state of Utah’s Wolf Management Plan,” says Utah Department of Agriculture and Food Commissioner Logan Wilde.

The best available scientific and commercial information indicates that the currently listed wolves are recovered and no longer meet the ESA definitions of a threatened species or an endangered species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service already delisted gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains, where a healthy and sustainable population roams across Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and eastern portions of Oregon and Washington. These states have since managed this delisted population effectively and responsibly. Wolves have even expanded into western Oregon, western Washington, northern California and most recently in northwest Colorado.

The gray wolf final delisting determination is based on sound science, a thorough analysis of threats and how they have been alleviated, and the ongoing commitment and proven track record of states and tribes to continue managing for healthy wolf populations once delisted.

The Service will monitor the species for five years post-delisting to ensure the continued success of the species. This final rule will be effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. For more information, visit: https://www.fws.gov/home/wolfrecovery/.

View entire UDAF press release here.

We’re pleased to release the 2020 Utah Agricultural Statistics and Annual Summary Report, published by UDAF in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistical Service (USDA NASS).

Click here to view the 2020 Annual Report