Plant Industries

The Arkansas State Plant Board is proposing adoption of the following:

The Arkansas State Plant Board is proposing changes to the Arkansas Rules on Pesticide Use and Classification.  The proposed changes will be to consider changes for the use of dicamba in the State of Arkansas.  The proposed rule change may be viewed here.

The public has two options to comment on the proposed dicamba rule. 
Option 1, written comment on dicamba proposed rule here.  Comments will be accepted beginning March 24 through April 22, 2021.
Option 2, pre-registration to make a verbal comment at the May 3, 2021, Zoom Public Hearing click here.  Pre-registration will begin April 14 through April 29, 2021.

NOTE: PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO BE ABLE TO COMMENT REGARDING THE ARKANSAS STATE PLANT BOARD PROPOSED RULE FOR DICAMBA AT THE VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING.

Below is the attendee link for the Public Hearing and the 444^th Arkansas State Plant Board  special called Board Meeting. Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:

    Please click this URL to join. https://arkansas-gov.zoom.us/j/83813866316?pwd=Z256WXJQbENReUpSY0FDTWlVYURZZz09
    Passcode: 092153
Or One tap mobile:
    +13126266799,,83813866316#,,,,*092153# US (Chicago)
    +19294362866,,83813866316#,,,,*092153# US (New York)

Or join by phone:
    Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
        US: +1 312 626 6799  or +1 929 436 2866  or +1 301 715 8592  or +1 346 248 7799  or +1 669 900 6833  or +1 253 215 8782  or 833 548 0276 (Toll Free) or 833 548 0282 (Toll Free) or 877 853 5257 (Toll Free) or 888 475 4499 (Toll Free)
    Webinar ID: 838 1386 6316
    Passcode: 092153
    International numbers available: https://arkansas-gov.zoom.us/u/krwAVWEkF

Dicamba Updates

The Arkansas State Plant Board (ASPB) investigates in response to complaints or allegations filed by citizens. Each year, the ASPB handles a significant number of complaints relating to alleged chemical misuse; the complaints may name a suspected chemical, but until inspectors are able to get on site and diagnose based on symptomology and collect records, there is no way to make a determination on the chemicals used. Since 2015, the ASPB has worked to investigate and in some cases prosecute for a higher than normal volume of dicamba-related complaints.

Dicamba is a selective herbicide in the chlorophenoxy family of chemicals. It comes in several salt formulations and an acid formulation. It is a common herbicide used in getting rid of weeds and woody plants.

To submit a pesticide complaint to the ASPB, please call 501-225-1598 and ask for the Pesticide Division.

Laws & Regulations

• Arkansas Regulations on Pesticide Classification
• Chapter 16 - Arkansas Pesticide Control Act and Regulations
• Chapter 20 - Arkansas Pesticide Use and Application Act and Rules (Green Book)
• Pesticide Enforcement Response Rules (Red Book)

Arkansas Training and Resources

• USDA Definition of Specialty Crops
• Answers to Frequently Asked Questions on Herbicide Resistance Management, by UAEX
• Pesticide Training, Education, & Licensing, by UAEX
• Prevention and Control of Glyphosate Resistant Pigweed in Soybean and Cotton, by UAEX
• Arkansas Pesticide Training 2020 (436.96 KB)

Other Resources

• Association of American Pesticide Control Officials Dicamba Resources