Lewis F. 



PESTICIDE PROGRAM 

 Wells, Jr., Program Supervisor 



The fiscal year 1981-82 saw significant progress within the pesticide 

 program. The activities concerning the regulation of pesticides in Mas- 

 sachusetts are carried out under authority granted by Chapter 132B of the 

 General Laws. Control of the use and application of pesticides is vested 

 in the Department of Food & Agriculture. 



One of the significant steps instituted during the fiscal year was 

 the establishment of a Pesticide Information Center. Increased public 

 concern about such issues as Gypsy Moth infestation, mosquito control, 

 and the use of herbicides on rights-of-way has prompted this new service. 



The center maintains a resource library to provide for the release 

 of information to industry and government agencies as well as to the public 

 and the press. The center has already prepared and made available an infor- 

 mation bulletin entitled "A Homeowners Guide to the Safe and Proper Use of 

 Pesticides", a bimonthly bulletin listing enforcement and registrative 

 actions, as well as several advisory statements directed toward applicators. 



The number of enforcement activities continued to increase in line with 

 the comprehensive pesticide regulatory scheme set forth in Chapter 132B of 

 the General Laws. Enforcement activities included inspecting the more than 

 100 pesticide manufacturing plants, routine inspections of pesticide deal- 

 ers and applicators, and also hundreds of responses to consumer complaints con- 

 cerning pesticides. 



During the period from July 1, 1981 through June 30, 1982, the Pesticide 

 Bureau received 92 complaints concerning pesticide use or pesticide products. 

 The result of these investigations has been the issuance of 39 Administrative 

 Orders, and the suspension of an Applicator's license. Investigations other 

 than those initiated by consumer complaints resulted in the issuance of an 

 additional 34 administrative orders. During Fy82, a total of 9 new cases 

 were referred to the Attorney General's office. Strict enforcement of the 

 pesticide regulations will continue to be top priority with this program. 



During this fiscal year, an effort was made to upgrade many of the pesti- 

 cide exams in order to keep up with label changes and to provide the highest 

 possible level of testing. Also more than 70 re-certification training courses 

 were offered, in cooperation with the Cooperative Extension Service and private 

 industry, to ensure that certified applicators meet the requirements of chang- 

 ing technology and to help applicators maintain a continuing ability to use 

 pesticides safely. 



The listing below indicates that in all levels of licensing, more tests 

 were administered and more persons issued licenses than in cne previous fiscal 

 year. 



Applicators license 



Certification 



(private & commercial) 



FY' 81 

 577 

 3,649 



FY' 82 

 910 

 3,789 



Dealers 



115 



129 



64 



