Georgia Department of Agriculture

COVID-19 UPDATES

Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification Exams: The Technical College System of Georgia will be closed through the rest of the Spring 2020 semester. Please check back with your local testing center for updates. If you need to take a certification exam during this time, call the Ag Inputs office at (404) 656-4958. We will be proctoring a limited number of written exams at our Atlanta office, but all attendees MUST pre-register with Ag Inputs or they will not be allowed to test.

Antimicrobial Applications: Due to recent events relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture has determined that an emergency Rule is hereby necessary to ensure a sufficient number of pesticide applicators are available and authorized to apply general use sanitizers and disinfectants in treating for COVID-19. The Georgia Department of Agriculture has adopted Emergency Rule 40-21-2-0.6-.01 which temporarily allows a person who is currently certified in any operational category or who is appropriately licensed to perform structural pest control services in Georgia to use general use sanitizers and disinfectants to treat for COVID-19 only without being specifically certified in the Antimicrobial Pest Control category. The Emergency Rule became effective on March 24, 2020, and will remain in effect until July 22, 2020

Temporary Allowances for Pesticide Recertification Training Requirements Certified applicators with recertification expiration dates between June 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, can request a 90-day extension. CEUs can still be obtained through approved online providers: http://agr.georgia.gov/1pesticide-applicator-licensing-and-certification.aspx

Using Pesticides Wisely: All UPW classroom trainings are canceled or postponed through April 24th. If you need this training to purchase dicamba or 2,4-D products and did not receive it in 2019, please contact your local Extension County Office. Find your office here: https://extension.uga.edu/county-offices.html Extension offices are also posting specific information on their websites and social media channels.

Disinfectants for Use Against SARS CoV-2: When purchasing a product, check if its EPA registration number is included on this list: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2. If it is, you have a match and the product can be used against SARS-CoV-2. You can find this number on the product label - just look for the EPA Reg. No. These products may be marketed and sold under different brand names, but if they have the same EPA registration number, they are the same product.

• For registrants, there is a disinfectants mailbox to request expedited actions, including adding products to this list: disinfectantslist@epa.gov

Essential Services: Agriculture and food production have been listed as "essential to continuing infrastructure viability" in a memo released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security which can be found here.

• Concerns or questions about business operations during the Statewide Shelter-in-Place Order? Contact Constituent Services with the Governor's Office and select your COVID-19 concern before submitting a request.

Jenny Wren
Program Director
Tele: (404) 656-4958
Fax: (404) 463-6670

Quiwajula McDowell
Assistant to Director
Tele: (404) 656-4958

The Agricultural Inputs Section of the Plant Industry Division of the Georgia Department of Agriculture is comprised of seven regulatory programs. Each program has specific rules and regulations to follow.

The Feed Program administers the rules and regulations related to animal feed minimum quality standards for items offered or exposed for sale in Georgia. The program is responsible for the licensing of feed manufacturers.

The Fertilizer Program under the Georgia Fertilizer Act requires persons who manufacture fertilizer in Georgia to be licensed and specialty fertilizer products must be registered. Tonnage reporting is required for Ag use fertilizers.

The Georgia Horticulture Growing Media Act's regulations maintain consistency in the potting soil industry. The Georgia Department of Agriculture registers potting soils and regulates tonnage.

The Georgia Liming Materials Act of 1996 requires those who distribute liming materials in Georgia to be licensed and all products registered. This Act also regulates tonnage reporting.

The Pesticide Program's regulatory authority originated in 1976 with the promulgation of the Georgia Pesticide Control Act and the Georgia Pesticide Use and Applications Act. This program protects Georgia consumers by regulating the labeling, distribution, storage, use and disposal of pesticides throughout the state.

The Soil Amendment Act of 1976 requires soil amendments in Georgia to be registered. This Act also requires tonnage reporting.

The Georgia Seed Law mandates that all seed dealers be licensed before seed can be sold, distributed, or transported into Georgia. Therefore, all establishments offering, exposing or distributing seed for sale in Georgia must apply for a seed dealer's license. Farmers, seed conditioners and dealers submitting samples for analysis are assured of standardized testing methods that provide reliable estimates of seed quality.

Directory

Field Operations

Pesticide Program