Service Area Strategic Plan
5/19/2013   4:14 pm
Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (301)
Biennium:
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 39 of Title 3.2 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
None.
Partners
Partner Description
[None entered]
Products and Services
  • Factors Impacting the Products and/or Services:
    None.
  • Anticipated Changes to the Products and/or Services
    None.
  • 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 2011    FY 2012
      General Fund     Nongeneral Fund        General Fund     Nongeneral Fund  
    Base Budget $0 $3,659,792    $0 $3,659,792
    Change To Base $0 $0    $0 $0
               
    Service Area Total   $0  $3,659,792     $0  $3,659,792 
Human Resources
  • Human Resources Overview
    [Nothing entered]
  • Human Resource Levels
    Effective Date      
    Total Authorized Position level null    
    Vacant Positions null    
    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 the timely registration of all applicable pesticide products, the surveillance of unregistered pesticide products and the pursuit of compliance by registrants.
    • Continue outreach and surveillance activities to identify and seek compliance by uncertified pesticide applicators whose activities require certification under Virginia law.
    • 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 pesticide applicator training manuals and certification examinations as needed.
    Link to State Strategy
    • nothing linked
    Objective Measures
    • Percentage of non-compliance cases processed in accordance with the Administrative Procedure for Processing Violations For Civil Penalty Assessment and Actions on Certificates, Licenses, And Registrations
      Measure Class:
      Other
      Measure Type:
      Output
      Measure Frequency:
      Annual
      Preferred Trend:
      Maintain
      Measure Baseline Value:
      100
      Date:
      6/30/2009

      Measure Baseline Description: 100% of non-compliance cases were resolved in FY 09.

      Measure Target Value:
      100
      Date:
      6/30/2012

      Measure Target Description: Maintain the FY 2009 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.
    • Evaluate practicality of providing options for electronic registration services for pesticide products.
    Link to State Strategy
    • nothing linked
    Objective Measures
    • Amount of time required to process all product registrations including new product registrations and registration renewals
      Measure Class:
      Other
      Measure Type:
      Input
      Measure Frequency:
      Annual
      Preferred Trend:
      Maintain
      Measure Baseline Value:
      25.5
      Date:
      6/30/2009

      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:
      6/30/2012

      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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