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and Consumer Services (FDACS). Pesticide law and To achieve safe pesticide use on both a state and local level, pesticide- applicator certification has been developed as a joint program between license renewal the FDACS Division of Agricultural Environmental Services and the University of Florida Institute of Food By Stephen H. Futch and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). This program has been approved by Editor’s note: This continuing education unit (CEU) article grants one general stan- EPA for the certification of applica- dards (core) CEU when submitted and approved toward the renewal of a Florida tors that use restricted-use pesticides Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services restricted-use pesticide license. (RUPs) in agricultural situations.

PESTICIDE n a national level, pesticide- law has been subsequently amended CLASSIFICATIONS applicator certification several times. The enabling legislation Under FIFRA, all pesticides are programs have been devel- is administered on the national level classified according to their poten- Ooped to protect public by the U.S. Environmental Protection tial hazards based upon the way they health and prevent adverse effects Agency (EPA). are used in agricultural situations. to the environment from improper Under FIFRA, EPA is responsible Pesticides are designated as “unclassi- pesticide use. These federal and state for registering or authorizing pesticide fied” or “restricted use.” rules regulate labeling, sale and dis- products for sale and use within the Unclassified pesticides are also tribution, storage, transportation, United States. This registration process called “general-use” pesticides. use, application and disposal of pesti- is based upon detailed assessments of General-use pesticides have lower cides. The U.S. Congress enacted the the potential effects that a proposed toxicity than restricted-use pes- Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and product may have on human health ticides, thus posing less potential Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) in 1947. This and the environment, even when used harm to humans and/or the environ- according to label direc- ment. General-use pesticides can be tions. These label directions purchased and used by agricultural are enforceable under both operations and the general public state and federal laws. Using without special permits or restrictions. a pesticide in any way not A pesticide is classified as recommended on the label restricted-use if it might result in may subject the user to civil unreasonable adverse effects on human and/or criminal penalties. health and/or the environment, unless The law allows the EPA to applied by trained persons in accor- stop the sale or use of any dance with label directions. In a few pesticides that are deemed to cases, the active ingredient (AI) may be pose an unreasonable risk. restricted-use if the pesticide contains States may have even more a high-percent AI, whereas the same restrictive product labels. chemical with a lower percent AI may However, labeling and pack- be classified as general-use as it poses a aging (including container lower potential risk as compared to the type, size and color) must be pesticide with the higher AI. uniform nationwide. All states have cooperative APPLICATOR agreements with EPA desig- CLASSIFICATIONS nating an agency within that RUPs may be sold only to certified state to enforce the provisions and properly licensed applicators, hold- This 56-page document, found online at http:// of FIFRA. In Florida, the des- ing either private, public or commercial pested.ifas.ufl.edu/pdfs/Pesticide-Applicator-Cert- ignated agency is the Florida applicator licenses. Private applicators Licensing.pdf, is an excellent resource for growers. Department of Agriculture are defined as certified applicators that 42 Citrus Industry May 2017 use or supervise the use of RUPs for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity (plants or ani- Citrus mals which are sold rather than for personal use) on his or her own property or News property that he/she rents or leases. Private applicators may also be employees of an on operation that owns, rents or leases land for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity. A commercial applicator is an individual who uses or supervises the use of any RUP for any purpose on any n Cocoa property, except for those WMEL-AM 1300 provided under the private When applying any pesticide, remember that the label certification definition. is the law. n Therefore, most contract Lakeland spraying companies or for-hire con- are: private, public and commercial WLKF-AM 1430 tractors would be required to have applicators. All three applicator n their pesticide supervisor licensed as a classifications apply pesticide by ground Ocala commercial applicator in each category for the production of agricultural WOCA-AM 1370 or categories for the crops in which commodities and are prohibited from WOCA-FM 96.7 they will be applying RUPs. making aerial applications unless Under governmental regulations, properly certified and licensed. n Palatka federal law requires individuals who A private applicator, as stated WIYD-AM 1260 apply RUPs to be certified themselves above, is someone who applies RUPs or work under the direct supervision of on property that is owned or rented n Port St. Lucie a certified applicator. This federal law by the applicator or the applicator’s contains specific standards to ensure employer. In the case where orna- WPSL-AM 1590 competency related to the safe use and mental and turf plants are produced n application of pesticides for all states. in an agricultural setting, the private Sebring In Florida, licenses issued by FDACS license is sufficient. On the other hand, WWOJ-FM 99.1 meet this federal regulation. State a private license is not appropriate for WWTK-AM 730 regulations may impose additional individuals who maintain ornamen- certification and license requirements tals or turf at golf courses, residential n Stuart for various pesticide applications and properties or in commercial landscape license fees, and specify the procedures situations. Examples of private applica- WSTU-AM 1450 required to obtain a license as well as tors of RUPs include farmers, ranchers For airtimes, visit those for recertification or renewal. and nursery growers. www.SoutheastAgNet.com In Florida, UF/IFAS coordinates the A public applicator is someone pesticide-applicator certification and employed by a federal, state, county, or training programs related to the pesti- city government or other local agency cide license process. or governmental entity, such as a state SUPPLIERS Chapter 487 of the Florida Statutes university, who uses RUPs as part of Are Your Customers is also referred to as the Florida his/her job duties. When an applicator Hearing You? Pesticide Law. This law regulates both holds a public RUP license, the license general and restricted-use pesticides. is valid only for work performed for Farm Broadcasting Works! The law establishes three classes of the governmental agency during the individuals who apply RUPs. The applicator’s public employment tasks. Phone (352) 671-1909 law requires licenses only for those A commercial applicator is [email protected] individuals who apply or supervise someone who applies RUPs on the use of RUPs. The three classes any agricultural area for purposes Citrus Industry May 2017 43 other than provided under the two regulations governing pesticides and competency in the use of pesti- license types discussed previously. include limitations on bromacil (herbi- cides. All applicants must be at least 18 Commercial applicators apply RUPs cide), methyl bromide (soil fumigant), years of age and must pass at least two for someone else and are not the own- organotin antifouling paints and examinations for initial certification ers or operators of the agricultural organo-auxin herbicides. Additional before obtaining a license. All examina- operations where RUPs are being rules also detail how RUPs are stored, tions are given in English and cannot be applied. Examples of commercial the disposal of certain kinds of waste translated into other languages orally applicators of RUPs include for-hire pesticide materials, examinations to or in writing in any form. All exams contractors of pesticide applications obtain a license, licensing fees, license are multiple choice and given closed such as citrus caretakers. Note: Under renewal, direct supervision of unli- book without notes. Math formulas are Chapter 487, there are categories such censed workers and record keeping. provided for many of the commercial as aquatics, right-of-way, ornamental & categories. Applicants must answer turf, and natural areas weed manage- TRAINING MATERIALS at least 70 percent of the questions ment, which are not directly related to AND TESTING correctly to receive a license. Fees are the production of agricultural com- Training materials for all agricul- $100 for private and public licenses, modities. They are included under this tural categories are available from the and $250 for commercial licenses. All state statute because applications are University of Florida either online licenses are valid for four years. not around buildings where people live at www.ifasbooks.com or by calling To obtain a private license, appli- and work. 800-226-1764. cants must pass both the general An applicator can only make RUP license testing is available at standards (core) and the private appli- applications of RUPs in the categories all county Extension Service offices in cator agricultural pest control exam. for which he/she has been licensed Florida for general standards (core) Public and commercial applicators are or is under the direct supervision of and private applicator agricultural required to pass the general standards/ a person that holds a license in the pest control. Selected county offices core exam and an examination for appropriate categories for the appli- will also offer training for public and each category of intended use. Public cation. For example, a commercial commercial applicators in catego- and commercial applicators may be agricultural tree crop license holder ries appropriate to their clientele. licensed in as many categories as they may not apply RUPs in row crop or turf For training and testing opportuni- wish. A total of 15 category exams operations, since neither are tree crops. ties in Florida, check with your local include but are not limited to pest A section under Chapter 487 limits Extension Service office. control in agricultural animal, row how, when and where specific pesti- Under Chapter 487, applicants for crop, tree crop, aquatic, demonstration cides can be used in Florida. Specific licenses must demonstrate knowledge & research, forest, natural areas weed

Table 1. Continuing education unit (CEU) requirements for pesticide applicator licenses Total CEUs Required to Renew a Commercial and Public Categories Recertification Requirements Restricted-Use Pesticide License

Category CEUs Core CEUs Aerial Application 16 4 20 Agricultural Animal 4 4 8 Agricultural Row Crop 8 4 12 Agricultural Tree Crop 8 4 12 Aquatic Pest Control 16 4 20 Chlorine Gas Infusion 4 4 8 Demonstration & Research 4 4 8 Forest Pest Control 8 4 12 Natural Areas Weed Management 16 4 20 Organotin Antifouling Paint 4 4 8 Ornamental & Turf 12 4 16 Raw Agricultural Commodity Fumigation 4 4 8 Regulatory Inspection & Sampling 4 4 8 Regulatory Pest Control 12 4 16 Right-of-Way Pest Control 8 4 12 Seed Treatment 4 4 8 Sewer Root Control 4 4 8 Soil & Greenhouse Fumigation 4 4 8 Wood Treatment 4 4 8

44 Citrus Industry May 2017 management and private applicator. Once the license has been obtained, ‘Pesticide law and license renewal’ test the applicant must recertify every four To receive one core continuing education unit (CEU), read “Pesticide law and license years to maintain his or her license. renewal” in this issue of Citrus Industry magazine. Answer the 20 questions on the maga- zine’s website (www.citrusindustry.net) or mail the answers and application information Recertification is to ensure demon- to the address at the bottom of the page. The article and test set are valid for up to one strated continued competency in the year from the publication date. After one year, this test will no longer grant a CEU. proper use of pesticides. Individuals 1. The Food, Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is legislation can recertify by retaking the certi- authorized by the U.S. Congress. T F fication exams or accumulating the 2. The U.S. Department of Agriculture administers FIFRA on a national level specified number of continuing educa- in the United States. T F tion units (CEUs) during the licensing 3. Using a pesticide in any way not recommended on the label may subject the period to renew their license. user to civil and/or criminal penalties. T F When renewing a private applica- 4. States may have pesticide labels that are more liberal in use recommendation tor RUP license, at least eight CEUs than those of FIFRA. T F must be earned over the 4-year license 5. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the period, of which at least four CEUs designated agency to enforce FIFRA in Florida. T F must be in general standards (core) 6. Under FIFRA, all pesticides are classified according to their potential hazards and at least four CEUs in the private based upon the way they are used in agricultural situations. T F category. Commercial applicators must 7. The terms “unclassified” and “general-use” pesticide are commonly used to earn at least four CEUs in general refer to the same classification of pesticides. T F standards and between four and 16 8. Restricted-use pesticides (RUPs) have lower toxicity than general-use pesticides. T F additional CEUs in each category for 9. Both general-use and restricted-use pesticides can be purchased and used by which they are licensed. For example, a agricultural operations without special permits or restrictions. T F commercial license holder certified in 10. RUPs can be used by unlicensed applicators as long as they are under the direct supervision of a properly licensed applicator. T F agricultural tree crop must earn at least 11. State regulations may impose additional certification and license eight CEUs in the ag tree crop category requirements for various pesticide applications above what is required under in addition to the four CEUs in the gen- federal regulations. T F eral standards area. Table 1 (page 44) 12. Chapter 487 is also referred to as the Florida Pesticide Law. T F lists the specific CEU requirements for 13. Florida law establishes two applicator classes of individuals that apply RUPs, each type of commercial RUP license. private and commercial. T F When applying any pesticide, it is 14. A commercial applicator is a licensed applicator who applies RUPs on any important to read and follow the pesti- agricultural area on property owned or rented by the license holder. T F cide label because the label is the law. 15. A private applicator may legally apply RUPs to ornamentals and turf plants in Sources of information for all situations, including farms and golf courses. T F this document included: Pesticide 16. By holding a private applicator license, citrus caretakers can legally apply Applicator Certification and Licensing RUPs to property they manage. T F in Florida (Florida Department of 17. Under Florida law, all applicants must be at least 21 years of age prior to Agriculture and Consumer Services) obtaining an RUP license. T F and Applying Pesticide Correctly, SM1 18. To obtain a private license, applicants must pass the general standards and (UF/IFAS Extension). the private applicator agricultural pest control exam. T F 19. Once a license is obtained, the applicant can renew his or her license by retaking the exams or by obtaining the proper number of continuing Stephen H. Futch is an Extension agent education units as required by the license category. T F at the Citrus Research and Education 20. When applying any pesticide, it is important to read and follow the Center in Lake Alfred. pesticide label. T F

Please circle the number below to rate this article and test: Please mail the answer sheet or a Not very useful 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Very useful copy of the form to: Pesticide Applicator CEU Form Steve Futch Citrus Research and Education Center First Name:______Last Name:______700 Experiment Station Road Lake Alfred, FL 33850 E-mail:______Pesticide License Number:______If you have questions regarding this form, test or CEUs, e-mail Steve Address:______Futch at [email protected] or call 863- City:______Street:______Zip:______956-8644. Please allow two weeks to process your CEU request. Phone:______

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