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Background
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is the federal law regulating pesticide usage.
- It creates two levels of pesticides: general-use and restricted-use pesticides (RUPs).
- Pesticides are considered RUPs if they have the potential to cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment or pose a hazard to the applicator or other persons (FIFRA (Sec. 3 (d) (1) c.)
- FIFRA authorizes the EPA to require certification of applicators that want to use RUPs.
- Standards for pesticide applicator certification are published in 40 CFR 171
- FIFRA gives authority to the states to administer their own certification program, with the approval of the EPA. The EPA has designated the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) as the lead agency for implementation of both commercial and private applicator training in Montana.
Competence in the use and handling of pesticides by a private applicator is determined by a Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 171). As a minimum requirement for certification, a private applicator must show that he possesses a practical knowledge of the pest problems and pest control practices associated with his agricultural operations; proper storage, use, handling and disposal of the pesticides and containers; and his related legal responsibility.
In 1983, MDA and Extension signed a memorandum-of-agreement in which Extension assists with Private Applicator Training (PAT). In addition, all Extension personnel demonstrating, making recommendations, researching or supervising the use of pesticides, and/or conducting pesticide training are to be licensed (certified) as governmental applicators in the commercial applicator classification. Under this agreement most county agents act as local PAT coordinators. PAT programs are developed and conducted by PAT coordinators within each county or reservation. Sometimes, a county agent may act as the PAT coordinator for multiple counties. Where there is no county agent available, other individuals may be PAT Coordinators upon approval by the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA). In a few cases other non-extension individuals are local PAT coordinators. In addition, tribal extension agents also conduct PAT training often covering more than one county. Montana is divided into five PAT regions with one of the regions reaching their recertification year annually.
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