News Releases from Region 10

EPA awards $445k to Oregon Department of Agriculture, supporting statewide pesticide programs

EPA awards $445k to Oregon Department of Agriculture, supporting statewide pesticide programs

Seattle – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $445,000 to the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) to support its pesticide regulatory programs across the state.

“The Oregon Department of Agriculture has been our long-time partner in environmental protection,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “We are pleased to support the pesticide programs in ensuring that pesticides are used properly, agricultural workers are protected, and Oregon’s rich and diverse and agricultural landscape can thrive and remain a provider of safe, healthy food.”

ODA has authority over pesticide use in Oregon and conducts inspections, enforcement, training and monitoring for pesticide use throughout the state.  Actions carried out by the ODA Pesticide programs include:

• Investigation and enforcement of possible pesticide misuse incidents;
• Assures the competency of restricted-use pesticides applicators through its certification and licensing program; trains pesticide applicators to ensure the public, food and the environment are safe from pesticide residues;
• Provides outreach and training to ensure that pollinators are protected from pesticide drift;  
• Conducts inspections of pesticide products at retail outlets for proper EPA registration, labeling and establishment information;
• Evaluation of pesticides registered in the state for their potential to contaminate groundwater resources.

EPA’s Region 10 office administers and enforces federal environmental laws in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and 247 tribal nations, home to over 13 million people.

For more information on pesticides please visit: https://www.epa.gov/pesticides

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