Virginia Commercial Pesticide Applicators CORE Exam

What are emergency (section 18) exemptions in the context of pesticides?

1. Uses for registered pesticides only

2. Exemptions for economic reasons

3. Responses to pest problems lacking registered pesticides

4. General approval from state authorities

The correct answer is: Responses to pest problems lacking registered pesticides

Emergency (section 18) exemptions refer specifically to situations where a pest problem arises that cannot be effectively controlled using existing registered pesticides. This exemption is utilized when there is an urgent need to address an unexpected pest outbreak, and no registered pesticide is available that can adequately manage the problem. The intent of these exemptions is to provide a rapid response to safeguard public health, agricultural production, and environmental integrity when faced with significant pest pressures. This process allows the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to grant temporary use permits for unregistered pesticides, or uses of registered pesticides for unapproved uses, when a specific situation warrants immediate action. It ensures that pesticide applicators can respond effectively and without delay to critical pest management situations that threaten crops, livestock, or public health. The other options do not capture the essence of section 18 exemptions. They may relate to other regulatory concepts concerning pesticide use but do not directly pertain to the immediate response to a pressing pest issue in the absence of registered alternatives.