The Division of Agricultural Environmental Services administers various state and federal regulatory programs concerning environmental and consumer protection issues.  The division ensures that pesticides are properly registered and used in accordance with federal and state requirements; mosquito and pest control programs are effectively conducted; and feed, seed, and fertilizer companies are safe and effective, and true to their labeling.

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 2019-20, the division licensed 4,637 pest control businesses and 61,994 applicators.

 

Pest Control Trust Fund. The 2020 Legislature enacted Chapter 2020-135, Laws of Florida, extending the expiration date of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service’s (DACS) authority to use funds from the Pest Control Trust Fund to carry out the division’s duties to June 30, 2024. The Trust Fund is used to carry out the various responsibilities of DACS related to the regulation of pest control, including the licensing of pest control businesses, examinations for operators’ certificates, and the education of the pest control industry. Revenue sources of the Trust Fund include fines as well as license, examination, certification, and commercial fees imposed by DACS.

Websites of Interest
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
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

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