Federal Pesticide Recordkeeping For Certified Applicators U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture 1990 Farm Bill –“Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements”

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements All certified applicators are required to maintain records of federally restricted use pesticide applications.

Requirements for Private Applicators ??

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements Eight steps to meeting the requirements for Pesticide Recordkeeping

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements 1. Date of application month day year

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements 2. Brand or Product Name

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements 3. EPA Registration Number

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements 4. Amount of pesticide applied Record the total quantity of the product used Amount does not refer to active ingredient (a.i).

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements 5. Size of area treated Record this information in the unit of measure which is shown to the label for the crop or commodity being treated

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements 5. Size of area treated (con’t) For example: –acres –linear feet –number of animals

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements 6. Location of the pesticide application (there are four ways to record location):

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements 6. Location (con’t) A. County, range, township and section

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements 6. Location (con’t) B. Identification system established by USDA

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements 6. Location (con’t) C. Legal property description

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements 6. Location (con’t) D. Applicator generated identification system that accurately identifies the location

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements 6. Location (con’t) A N E B C D RT22 RT4 Field A Field B pond

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements 7. Name of certified applicator

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements 8. Certification number Note: If you keep you records together, you only have to record steps 7 and 8 once

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements Spot Applications Small applications which total less than 1/10th of an acre And they are made in the same day Spot applications do not apply to nurseries or greenhouses

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements Spot Application Requirements 1. Date of application - month, day, year 2. Brand or product name 3. EPA registration number 4. Total amount of pesticide applied 5. Location of the pesticide application, designated as “spot application” & a short description

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements Deadline Pesticide application must be recorded within 14 days of application There are no Federal forms for these records. Your written information becomes the official record

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements How Long? The law requires that pesticide records be maintained for a minimum of two years from the date of application However, you may want to keep them longer for future management decisions

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements Two Major Purposes for Requiring Restricted Use Pesticide Records

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements 1- Licensed health care professionals have timely access to the pesticide record information for purposes of medical treatment

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements 2- Records improve pesticide use survey data –May be used in reregistration process of pesticides –Can be utilized in policy decisions involving agricultural pesticide use

Requirements for Commercial Applicators ??

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements Commercial applicators are required to: –Provide their clients a copy of a restricted use pesticide application record –Provide record within 30 days of the application

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements Civil Penalties for Failure to Comply –First violation - Not more than $550 –Subsequent Violations - Minimum of $1,100 (can be less if good faith effort has been shown)

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements Who Has Access to Restricted Use Pesticide Records??

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements Attending licensed health care professionals to provide medical treatment Credentialed USDA Representatives Credentialed State Regulatory Representatives

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements Pesticide Recordkeeping has many benefits –Saves money –Determines best pesticide management program

Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirements Pesticide Recordkeeping has many benefits –Documents pesticide performance –Helps secure funding for loans –Meets buyers’ requirements

For More Information Contact: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Pesticide Records Branch 8700 Centreville Rd. Suite 202 Manassas, VA Phone (703) Fax (703)