The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) said this year will step up enforcement actions against those who violate pesticide licensing laws, and potentially endanger people and the environment.
This follows a spate of incidents in 2018 in which DPR’s investigations discovered offenders who falsified records, and violated other laws designed to ensure that pesticide applicators are properly trained and licensed before offering their services to the public.
The latest and most egregious case involved a six-month investigation that resulted in a $50,000 fine for a Tulare County company for the unauthorized possession, reproduction and distribution of parts of DPR licensing exams.
“Part of DPR’s function is to ensure that pesticides, including those used in agriculture, are handled properly, and the individuals handling them are properly trained and licensed,” said Teresa Marks, chief deputy director of DPR. “These exams are a way of ensuring that applicators have the required knowledge of how to apply pesticides in a manner that does not adversely affect themselves, other individuals or the environment. People who cheat the system can inadvertently endanger the public.”
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