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Pesticide & Environmental Programs

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) is designated as the state’s lead agency in the regulation of pesticide use and application. The LDAF’s Pesticide and Environmental Programs Division is responsible for licensing and training pesticide applicators, overseeing worker protection, registering pesticides for sale in the state and working to minimize unnecessary impacts by pests to agriculture and society in general while protecting human health, the environment, and endangered and threatened species as mandated by the federal law.

The mission of the Pesticide and Environmental Programs Division ensures the proper labeling, distribution, storage, transportation, use, application, and disposal of pesticides within the state of Louisiana through fair and equitable implementation and enforcement of all applicable state and federal laws.

Through the Advisory Commission on Pesticides and the Structural Pest Control Commission, the division investigates and brings actions against those charged with violations of pesticide laws, rules and regulations.

Resources

Licensed Pesticide Professionals

Advisory Commission on Pesticides: Pesticide Registration, Certification & Training, Storage, Spills, School Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plans, etc.)

The Advisory Commission on Pesticides serves to protect the interests, health, safety, and welfare of the Louisiana public through rules and regulations pertaining to the proper labeling, sale, distribution, transportation, storage, use and application, and disposal of pesticides within the state. The commission is a statutory commission that advises the Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry on registration and disposal of pesticides, qualifications for licenses, certificates, and permits required to engage in business or sell or apply pesticides, and to hold hearings and conduct investigations and advise the commissioner on the civil penalties or the injunctive relief to violators.

These rules and regulations include but are not limited to – rules and regulations for registration of pesticides for sale and use in Louisiana, for governing the certification and licensure of pesticide applicators, for agricultural worker and pesticide handler safety, for water protection, for the transportation, storage and handling of pesticides and pesticide application equipment, and for the treatment of pesticide residues and the handling and disposal of solid wastes generated in the course of pesticide use. For information relating to this commission, visit the Division of Administration website.

Pesticide Applicator Recertification Meetings

The Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) maintains a Registry of Pesticide Hypersensitive Individuals. Each person on the Registry has had a Louisiana physician verify that the individual was evaluated and found to be hypersensitive to pesticide exposure.

LDAF requests that special precautions be taken when making commercial pesticide applications near these individuals. Licensed pesticide applicators, owners and/or operators (aerial, ground or structural) are asked to notify applicable individuals on the registry of their scheduled pesticide applications within 100 feet of the individual’s residence. This is a voluntary program and cooperation between hypersensitive individuals and pesticide applicators is strongly encouraged by LDAF.

Questions concerning the Registry of Hypersensitive Individuals should contact (225) 925-3763.

Individuals requesting placement on the Registry can download an application form for completion. The individual, after verification by a Louisiana physician, should submit the form to the LDAF Pesticide and Environmental Programs office to be added to the list.

Pesticide Wastes & Spills


All uncontained spills of more than 1 gallon liquid or 4 pounds dry weight must be reported to the director of Pesticides and Environmental Programs within 24 hours by telephone and by written notice within three days. Written notice of uncontained spills may be faxed to the director at 225-925-3760.

Commercial applicators are responsible for the cost of cleanups resulting from pesticide spills in their operations.

24 Hour LDAF Emergency Hotline
Pesticide Emergencies
(such as pesticide spills & health-related pesticide incidents)
1-855-452-5323

Water Protection

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is responsible for ensuring that the waters of the state are protected from pesticide contamination. In order to achieve this objective, the Department maintains a statewide monitoring network for surface and ground water and samples on a set schedule to verify that the waters are free of any level of pesticides that would cause concern. LDAF has in place 46 surface water sampling sites and 50 groundwater sites that are sampled. These sites are strategically located to monitor the areas most likely to be impacted by any agricultural pesticide usage. The site locations are shown in the maps.

Endangered Species

The goal of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Endangered Species Porgram is to carry out the responsibilities under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) in compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), while at the same time not placing undue burdens on agricultural and other pesticide users. The Department coordinates the Louisiana Committee for the Protection of Endangered Species from Pesticides. This group is made up of representatives from the LSU Ag Center, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, the Louisiana Natural Heritage Program and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

Information on the Endangered Species Program may be obtained by contacting the LDAF or through the EPA Endangered Species Protection Program website.

Further information may be found at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Endangered Species Program website.

Worker Protection Standard

Protección del Trabajador (WPS) Programa de Pesticidas

WPS How To Comply – This EPA website details the WPS for Agricultural Pesticides as a regulation aimed at reducing the risk of pesticide poisonings and injuries among agricultural workers and pesticide handlers at agricultural producing establishments. Links are available to information for employers to comply with the WPS and a full PDF version of the manual can be downloaded.

WPS Fact Sheet – WPS Facts Sheets Web site offers a series of fact sheets that provide easy-to-understand explanations of many compliance-related subjects.

LDAF WPS Interview Policy for Agricultural Employees WPS Interviews:
When WPS workers, handlers, or witnesses are interviewed, the interviews should be made in person. When this is not possible or practical, a telephone interview must be used to complete the interview process. When the worker, handler or witness is limited in English proficiency, the LDAF inspector will contact the Pesticide Environmental Programs Division (PEPD) office in Baton Rouge. The PEPD will arrange for a Spanish interpreter or translator to provide assistance during the interview.

USDA RUP Recordkeeping Requirement

Under the 1990 Farm Bill, private applicators must maintain records of their federally restricted use pesticide (RUP) applications. These records must be maintained for two years following the application. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) at the USDA Web site provides information and forms that can be used to maintain your records.

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Pesticide Related Complaints

24 Hour LDAF Emergency Hotline
Pesticide Emergencies
(such as pesticide spills and health-related pesticide incidents)
1-855-452-5323

The Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) is the state agency responsible for investigating complaints of pesticide use or misuse. Pesticide is a general term that includes herbicides (weed control), insecticides (insect control), fungicides (fungus control) and rodenticides (mice/rat control), and others. All pesticides must be registered with both the state of Louisiana and the US EPA before the pesticide is sold or used in Louisiana. Pesticide applicators must strictly follow all requirements and restrictions on the pesticide label.

Complaints related to pesticide use or misuse must be put in writing. Please note that the LDAF has no authority to seek compensation on the behalf of any complainant. The LDAF has district offices located throughout Louisiana listed below. Please call the district office in your area or if an incident occurs after normal working hours, please call the 24 Hour LDAF Emergency Hotline at 1-855-452-5323.

Investigations involving possible injury to humans and animals are given the highest priority for investigation. If you believe that you, a family member, your pet or other animal has been harmed from a pesticide exposure, immediately seek advice and or medical attention from a medical/veterinary professional first before calling the LDAF to file a complaint. A medical/veterinary professional is the best person to assist you in dealing with your immediate health concerns.

After seeking medical attention, promptly place all clothes/footwear or other items that were worn the day/time of the alleged injury in a clean plastic bag and put the bag in a freezer.

After seeking medical/veterinary attention, call the LDAF to report your complaint. This should be done soon after your discovery to insure sufficient information can be gathered in an investigation.

Upon receipt of a complaint, LDAF staff will begin an investigation and promptly obtain pertinent information from the complainant and the alleged pesticide applicator. Such information may include:

  1. Who/what was injured/damaged
  2. Where the damage occurred
  3. What are the symptoms of injury/damage
  4. Date and time that the pesticide misuse or exposure occurred
  5. Who is responsible
  6. What pesticide product may be involved

LDAF District Office Map & Contacts

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