N.D. pesticide compliance high

BISMARCK (AP) — Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring says compliance with state and federal pesticide laws and regulations is at an all-time high in North Dakota.

Goehring said state officials conducted a record 1,042 inspections of farms and businesses last year and more than 840 were found to be in compliance, for a rate of 81 percent. The previous record was 80 percent in 2008.

Goehring said his department’s outreach and compliance assistance program is a big reason. He said the department’s pesticide team reached more than 4,400 people last year through public meetings and other efforts.

The findings are included in an annual report the state submits to the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

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