Service Area Strategic Plan
11/22/2009   2:46 am
Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (301)
Biennium: 2008-10
Service Area 1 of 1
Pesticide Regulation and Applicator Certification (301 557 04)
Description

This service area provides regulatory oversight of the production, sale and use of pesticides in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Services include:

•Training and certification of pesticide applicators
•Registration of pesticide products
•Licensing of pesticide businesses
•Administration of the provisions of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Virginia Pesticide Control Act (VPCA), the Regulations Pursuant to the Virginia Pesticide Control Act, the Worker Protection Standard (WPS), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and the Clean Water Act
•Coordinating the disposal of unwanted pesticides and the recycling of pesticide containers
•Educating Virginians about safe pesticide practices
Background Information
Mission Alignment and Authority
  • Describe how this service supports the agency mission
    This service area directly aligns with VDACS mission of promoting the economic growth and development of Virginia agriculture, providing consumer protection, and encouraging environmental stewardship.
  • Describe the Statutory Authority of this Service
    7 U.S.C. § 136 et seq., the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), establishes national requirements for the registration, sale, use and distribution of pesticides, as well as the certification of pesticide applicators.

    •Chapter 14.1 of Title 3.1 of the Code of Virginia (Code), the Virginia Pesticide Control Act, provides for the regulation of pesticides in the Commonwealth.
Customers
Agency Customer Group Customer Customers served annually Potential annual customers
Certified pesticide applicators, licensees, and products Business licensees 2,000 2,500
Certified pesticide applicators, licensees, and products Certified pesticide applicators 20,000 25,000
Certified pesticide applicators, licensees, and products Products Registered 12,000 13,000

Anticipated Changes To Agency Customer Base
[Nothing entered]
Partners
Partner Description
[None entered]
Products and Services
  • Factors Impacting the Products and/or Services:
    [Nothing entered]
  • Anticipated Changes to the Products and/or Services
    [Nothing entered]
  • Listing of Products and/or Services
    • Applicator Certification: This service area certifies individuals wishing to become pesticide applicators. The testing process relies extensively on computer-based exams available at all Department of Motor Vehicles customer service centers throughout the Commonwealth. Demand for this service is expected to increase as the population grows.
    • Registration of Pesticides: This service area registers pesticide products intended for sale in Virginia. The service area also processes requests for special need registrations through the US Environmental Protection Agency. Demand for this service is expected to increase as new products enter the marketplace.
    • Business Licensing: This service area licenses pesticide businesses in order to ensure the proper sale, distribution, and application pesticides. Demand for this service is expected to increase as the population grows.
    • Applicator training: In conjunction with the Virginia Cooperative Extension and private industry, this service area develops training and recertification courses for pesticide applicators. Demand for this service is expected to increase as the economy strengthens.
    • Enforcement: This service area conducts application firm, producer establishment, and marketplace inspections; and investigates consumer complaints involving pesticides. The demand for this service is expected to increase as urbanization increases.
    • Education: This service area coordinates training of pesticide applicators and handlers regarding proper personal protective measures. Demand for this service is expected to increase as the population grows.
Finance
  • Financial Overview
    [Nothing entered]
  • Financial Breakdown
    FY 2009    FY 2010
      General Fund     Nongeneral Fund        General Fund     Nongeneral Fund  
    Base Budget $0 $3,727,495    $0 $3,727,495
    Change To Base $0 $0    $0 $0
               
    Service Area Total   $0  $3,727,495     $0  $3,727,495 
Human Resources
  • Human Resources Overview
    [Nothing entered]
  • Human Resource Levels
    Effective Date      
    Total Authorized Position level Ø    
    Vacant Positions Ø    
    Current Employment Level 0.0    
    Non-Classified (Filled)    
    Full-Time Classified (Filled)    breakout of Current Employment Level
    Part-Time Classified (Filled)    
    Faculty (Filled)    
    Wage    
    Contract Employees    
    Total Human Resource Level 0.0   = Current Employment Level + Wage and Contract Employees
  • Factors Impacting HR
    [Nothing entered]
  • Anticipated HR Changes
    [Nothing entered]
Service Area Objectives
 
  • Enhance the protection of human health and the environment by increasing compliance with Virginia pesticide laws and regulations.
    Objective Description
    Enhance the protection of human health and the environment by reducing non-compliance with Virginia pesticide laws and regulations by 10%. (All calculations to be conducted on an individual investigator basis). The proper use of pesticides is essential to elimination or containment of pests that could cause disease and economic damage. Because of their inherent toxicity, pesticides must be handled in accordance with specific laws, and the instructions on the labels must be observed. Non-compliance with applicable laws or label instructions could pose serious public and environmental health dangers, hence the need to continually strive to reduce it.
    Alignment to Agency Goals
    • Agency Goal: Enhance opportunities for the growth, profitability and continued viability of the Virginia agriculture industry.
      Comment: This objective directly aligns with VDACS mission of promoting the economic growth and development of Virginia agriculture, encouraging environmental stewardship, and providing consumer protection, and with long term objective # 6, as promulgated by the Council for Virginia’s Future, regarding the protection of our natural resources, as well as long term objective #7, regarding the protection of the public’s safety.
    Objective Strategies
    • Continue surveillance of unregistered pesticide products through the deployment of hand-held scanners to all field personnel.
    • In conjunction with the Office of Consumer Affairs, continue to evaluate and investigate complaints alleging the fraudulent application of termiticides.
    • Continue outreach and surveillance activities to identify and seek compliance by uncertified pesticide applicators providing commercial pesticide services in the Commonwealth.
    • Continue outreach and surveillance activities to identify and seek compliance by businesses providing commercial pesticide services in the Commonwealth without a valid pesticide business license.
    • Work closely with Virginia Cooperative Extension to revise and update at least three pesticide applicator training manuals and certification examinations annually.
    Objective Measures
    • Percentage of non-compliance cases investigated and resolved.
      Measure Class:
      Other
      Measure Type:
      Output
      Measure Frequency:
      Annual
      Preferred Trend:
      Maintain
      Measure Baseline Value:
      100
      Date:
      6/30/2005

      Measure Baseline Description: 100% of non-compliance cases resolved during FY 2004-05.

      Measure Target Value:
      100
      Date:
      6/30/2010

      Measure Target Description: Maintain the FY 2004-05 baseline.

      Data Source and Calculation: This service area maintains electronic records of all cases handled by staff. Performance data can be retrieved on a variety of fields.

  • Provide adequate pesticide “tools” for increasing production of existing crops or to facilitate the introduction of new crops, and to assist Virginia’s agricultural producers to use crop protection chemicals safely.
    Objective Description
    Pesticides enable Virginia growers to produce agricultural products economically and to price them competitively. Staff will seek to ensure that the approval process for new pesticides is responsive to the needs of producers, and also that said pesticides are used in a safe manner.
    Alignment to Agency Goals
    • Agency Goal: Enhance opportunities for the growth, profitability and continued viability of the Virginia agriculture industry.
      Comment: This objective directly aligns with VDACS mission of promoting the economic growth and development of Virginia agriculture, encouraging environmental stewardship, and providing consumer protection, and with long term objective # 2, as promulgated by the Council for Virginia’s Future, regarding the preservation and enhancement of our economy, long term objective # 6 regarding the protection of our natural resources, and long term objective #7, regarding the protection of the public’s safety.
    Objective Strategies
    • In cooperation with the Pesticide Control Board’s ad hoc Review Committee, conduct timely review and processing of all FIFRA Section 24(c)requests for Special Local Need pesticide product registrations.
    • In cooperation with Virginia Tech’s Extension Service and the Pesticide Control Board’s ad hoc Review Committee, conduct timely review and processing of all FIFRA Section 18 requests for pesticide product emergency exemptions.
    • Conduct timely review and processing of requests for pesticide product Experimental Use Permits.
    • Pursue deployment of on-line registration services for pesticide products.
    Objective Measures
    • Amount of time required to process a new product registration and registration renewal.
      Measure Class:
      Other
      Measure Type:
      Outcome
      Measure Frequency:
      Annual
      Preferred Trend:
      Maintain
      Measure Baseline Value:
      30
      Date:
      6/30/2006

      Measure Baseline Description: During FY 2005-06, all product registrations, including new product registrations and renewals, were processed within 30 days of receipt.

      Measure Target Value:
      30
      Date:
      6/30/2010

      Measure Target Description: Maintain product registration processing time at or under 30 days.

      Data Source and Calculation: This service area maintains electronic records of new registrations, registration renewals, and emergency registrations. One reporting feature is the time required to process them.


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