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Better Coordination Is Needed Between Pesticide Misuse Enforcement Programs and Programs for Certifying and Training Individuals To Apply Pesticides

RCED-83-169 Published: Jul 01, 1983. Publicly Released: Jul 01, 1983.
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Highlights

GAO reviewed programs in Illinois and Minnesota under the Pesticide Applicator Certification and Training Program to determine whether they are addressing major pesticide misuse problems.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Environmental Protection Agency The Administrator, EPA, should direct that action be taken to include a requirement in state cooperative agreements that states develop basic program management information on major pesticide misuse problems for use by certification and training programs.
Closed – Not Implemented
EPA guidance to the states was revised to encourage the states to develop information on their major pesticide misuse problems and revise certification training material and tests to address these problems. Although states are encouraged to do so, it is not a requirement.
Environmental Protection Agency The Administrator, EPA, should direct that action be taken to develop guidance for EPA regions to evaluate state efforts in using pesticide misuse data to ensure that its certification and training programs are addressing the major pesticide misuse problems that the state is experiencing.
Closed – Implemented
EPA guidance to regions was revised and the regions were directed to address this issue in their year-end evaluations.
Environmental Protection Agency The Administrator, EPA, should direct that action be taken to develop criteria and guidance for EPA regions to evaluate state commercial applicator examinations.
Closed – Implemented
On August 30, 1985, a task force studying the need for changes in the certification and training program made substantive recommendations for program changes which would effect this recommendation. In its fiscal year 1988 program guidance, EPA advised its regional offices to review the adequacy of state plans for training and certification of pesticide applicators.

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Topics

EducationEmployment assistance programsstate relationsOccupational health and safety programsPesticide regulationPollution controlState-administered programsPesticidesFederal regulationsToxic substances