The state Plant Board on Wednesday approved the framework for allowing fines of up to $25,000 for the most serious cases of illegal spraying of dicamba and other herbicides.

 

State lawmakers approved the stiffer fines in March during their regular legislative session, but state law that governs boards and commissions requires the Plant Board, a part of the state Department of Agriculture, and its civil-penalties committee to revise a penalty matrix.

 

The Plant Board, with little discussion, unanimously approved the committee's work. The new penalty matrix now goes to Gov. Asa Hutchinson for review. If approved by the governor, the matrix will be the subject of a public hearing this summer.

 

The maximum fine now is $1,000, but state regulators said that amount didn't deter some Arkansas farmers who, when faced last summer with an infestation of pigweed in their dicamba-tolerant beans and cotton, illegally sprayed the herbicide. In many cases, the herbicide drifted to other crops -- including fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants and trees -- that were not dicamba-tolerant.

 

Click Here to read more.