ODA Approves Simplified Private Applicator Pesticide Recordkeeping Rules

The new ODA rules on private recordkeeping have been finalized and are posted on the Ohio Department of Agriculture's website at: http://www.agri.ohio.gov/apps/odaprs/pestfert-PRS-index.aspx

The new record changes are simplifications of the previous recordkeeping requirements and should make recordkeeping easier for growers. Previously, Ohio growers had to keep more items than federal law and many other states required. For private applicators, the items now required are the same as the federal recordkeeping requirements and will be consistent with many other state requirements. Growers using the old recordkeeping requirements, are NOT out of compliance--they will just be keeping more items than are now required. Below are the new requirements.

Private applicator restricted use records must be kept for three years and must include:

(a) The responsible private applicator's name and license number
(b) The brand or product name and EPA registration number of the restricted use pesticide applied
(c) The total amount of the restricted use pesticide applied
(d) Location and/or field number for area treated and total area or acreage treated
(e) Crop treated
(f) Month, day and year of application

Note: Under the new rules, if a grower applies either a general use or restricted use pesticide for a neighbor under the neighbor exemption (Revised Code 921.26 (D)) he/she must record this information for all applications.

However, we always recommend that growers keep records of all their pesticide applications whether required by law or not.