New regs for Friday: Bees, pesticides, hazardous materials

Friday’s edition of the Federal Register contains new protections for bees, safety requirements for trucks carrying hazardous materials and pesticide exemptions for farmers.

Here’s what is happening:

Bees: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is delaying new rules that would protect bees from exposure to toxic pesticides. 

The EPA proposed pesticide restrictions last month but is extending the comment period through July 29 to give the public more time to consider the changes.

“These label restrictions would prohibit applications of pesticide products, which are acutely toxic to bees, during bloom when bees are known to be present under contract,” the agency wrote.

Hazardous materials: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is moving forward with new safety requirements for trucks carrying hazardous materials.

These trucks will be required to use the safety measurement system for the review process.

The changes go into effect in 60 days.

Vietnam war: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will extend health coverage to Vietnam war-era pilots who were exposed to the toxic chemical known as Agent Orange as they sprayed it from their planes.

Pilots and other Air Force members who flew in these planes and later develop symptoms that indicate they were also exposed will be eligible for VA benefits, the agency noted.

The rule goes into effect immediately.

Pesticides: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is partially exempting farmers from a pesticide regulation.

The EPA restricts the use of a pesticide known as thiram, but the agency announced Thursday it will allow small amounts of the pesticide to be used on avocados.

The exemption goes into effect immediately.