The New York State Senate today passed Senator Marcellino’s bill that would reduce the amount of pesticides that are unnecessarily released into the environment.

The bill will have environmental and economic benefits by reducing the amount of pesticides needing to be applied or disposed of as hazardous waste.

Currently, pesticides used for agricultural purposes in New York State may be used in a dosage, concentration or frequency less than that specified on the labeling, but commercial pesticide applicators may not. Senator Marcellino’s bill recognizes advancements made in commercial application technology which may increase effectiveness while using less pesticides. By allowing commercial applicators to apply less than label rates, the bill helps reduce the total amount of pesticides being applied in New York State communities.

“This bill is a common sense approach to lower pesticide use, avoiding unnecessary exposure, saving money, and reducing health risks,” said Senator Marcellino. “By allowing commercial applicators to apply less than the label rates, the total amount of pesticides being applied in New York State will be decreased, providing economic and environmental benefits to the people of the state.”