The Division of Agricultural Environmental Services administers various state and federal regulatory programs concerning environmental and consumer protection issues. These include state mosquito control program coordination; agricultural pesticide registration, testing and regulation; pest control regulation; and feed, seed and fertilizer production inspection and testing. The division ensures that pesticides are properly registered and used in accordance with federal and state requirements; mosquito control programs are effectively conducted; and feed, seed and fertilizer products are safe and effective.

The Division of Agricultural Environmental Services is part of the department's Consumer Protection Program and is organized into four bureaus.

• Bureau of Licensing and Enforcement administers the licensing and enforcement provisions of the statutes assigned to the division. The bureau oversees the licensing, registration, and certification of specialty fertilizer products, distributors and manufacturers of feed, seed, and fertilizer products, agricultural pesticide applicators, pesticide dealers, pest control applicators and businesses, aerial applicators and aircraft, and mosquito control applicators. The bureau enforces the proper registration, labeling, distribution, and use of pesticide, feed, seed, and fertilizer products in the state. Bureau case review staff evaluate inspection and investigation files, interpret compliance requirements, and prepare and issue agency actions in response to identified violations.
• Bureau of Agricultural Environmental Laboratories conducts analysis and evaluations of commercial feed, seed, fertilizer, agricultural liming materials, and pesticide formulations sold in Florida to ensure compliance with label guarantees for all active ingredients, nutrients, components, and properties. The bureau also analyzes samples of water, soil, and other matrixes in support of groundwater-monitoring studies and investigations of pesticide-use violations and pesticide drift.
• Bureau of Scientific Evaluation and Technical Assistance processes applications from companies seeking registration of pesticide product brands. The bureau conducts scientific reviews of pesticides proposed for registration to determine whether human health and the environment may be adversely affected when pesticides are used. The bureau provides technical services related to pesticides and farm worker protection and conducts outreach activities to the public and the regulated community related to the control of Formosan and Conehead termites. The bureau provides technical assistance to state mosquito control districts and assures that pass through funding is made available according to established contractual guidelines.
• Bureau of Inspection and Incident Response inspects entities that manufacture, sell, or apply pesticides, fertilizer, feed, or seed in order to ensure consumer protection, worker safety, and environmental protection. Inspections are conducted on a routine basis or in response to consumer complaints. The bureau is also responsible for responding to emergencies such as hurricanes, where recovery efforts need support in the form of mosquito control. 

In Fiscal Year 2021-22, the division licensed 64,227 pest control businesses and applicators and 1,419 feed companies. The division analyzed 147,595 pesticide products, 122,808 fertilizer products, and 1,892 feed products. They inspected 2,183 pesticide applicators and dealers and 5,697 pest control businesses and applicators.

Remote Testing for Pesticide Applicator Licenses. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reports it is now one of only a few state pesticide programs nationwide to offer remote testing for pesticide applicator licensure. This service is available to individuals who wish to become initially certified or to renew their existing certification and are offered the option of taking their exam at any remote location. Previously, exams were only available at county extension offices. The testing service system will allow an examinee to take a pesticide exam from any remote location, any day or time, with a secure internet connection and a webcam. A convenience fee of $26 is required per test attempt.

Websites of Interest
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Agriculture Support
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
USDA, Economic Research Service

Performance Information

Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

Chapters 388, 482, 487, 570, 576, 578, and 580, Florida Statutes

Division of Agricultural Environmental Services, 850-617-7900
Website