PESTICIDE PROGRAM 

 Lewis F. Wells, Jr., Program Supervisor 



The Department of Food and Agriculture administers the Pesticide Program 

 which controls the use and application of pesticides in Massachusetts. The 

 registration of pesticides and the issuance of experimental permits is the 

 province of a subcommittee of the Pesticide Board in accordance with Chapter 

 132B of the General Laws. 



The Pesticide Board is administratively in the Department and by statute, 

 the Commissioner of Food and Agriculture acts as chairman. The Board advises 

 the Department as to policy in the implementation of the Massachusetts 

 Pesticide Control Act, must approve of regulations promulgated by the 

 Department and the acts as an appeal body to actions of the Department as it 

 carries out the intent of the statute. 



In fiscal year 1980, the Department continued to phase in the comprehensive 

 pesticide regulatory program set forth in the statute and in regulations made 

 during the previous year. 



A key action was the negotiation of an enforcement grant with EPA which 

 provides for conducting a program for enforcement of both the state and federal 

 laws. Funds from this grant will provide for chemical analysis of samples 

 taken during inspections and investigations, for the support expenses of two 

 state inspectors, and for legal services from the Office of the Attorney 

 General. These grant funds total $100,797. 



During the fiscal year 1980, the following actions were taken by the 

 Pesticide Program: 



1. 2751 persons were certified to apply or supervise the application 

 of restricted pesticides. 



2, 408 persons were licensed to apply general use pesticides to land 

 of another or to apply restricted pesticides under the direct 

 supervision of certified persons. 



3- 95 persons were licensed as dealers in restricted pesticides. 



4. 52 investigations of pesticide incidents were carried out. 



Consultation relative to proper use of pesticides was given to other 



state agencies, municipal agencies, and the general public as requested. 



It is estimated that this aspect of the program takes 20 to 25 per cent of the 

 time of the staff. 



The Pesticide Program's budget for the fiscal year 1980 was $86,745. 



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