Arkansas Agriculture panel updates pest-control rules to align with federal standards

The Administrative Rules Subcommittee on Thursday reviewed and approved changes to the Department of Agriculture's pest-control rule that align restricted-use pesticide applicator recordkeeping and continuing education with federal pesticide law.

The rule clarifies recordkeeping to match the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and standardizes ongoing education requirements. Scribe Brown, director of plant industries for the Department of Agriculture, told the committee the rule also "clarified the U of A extension partnership role" and expanded opportunities for license examinations so applicants can test within 10 days or take online exams.

Brown said the department worked with industry stakeholders in drafting the changes. "The rules were developed and drafted with input from industry and they have agreed to these changes," Brown said. He told members the rule will speed certificate issuance and "should result in more opportunity" for technicians. Representative Richardson asked whether lowering barriers would draw more people into the industry; Brown replied, "It certainly could. Yes." The committee recorded no public opposition and approved the rule "without objection."

The rule also clarifies how continuing education is tracked: technicians are certified for three years after meeting training requirements that must cover multiple categories including safety, rules and integrated pest management (IPM). Brown said training is provided by a mix of the U of A Extension, state staff and private industry.

The changes will be implemented through the Department of Agriculture's licensing process; committee members had no further questions and the subcommittee filed the rule.