Pesticide Use Enforcement

The function of this program is to oversee, monitor and evaluate the use, records, storage and sales of
pesticides as required in the California Food and Agricultural Code, the California Code of Regulations
and the Business and Professions Code. In carrying out these functions, the department protects the
food, feed and fiber sources, the environment and people, including the public and agricultural
workers.

A grower must obtain the proper permit or other document from this department before
pesticides are applied for commercial or agricultural use. Some other users must also go through this
or similar processes.

One function of this program is recording data on agricultural pesticide use. This
information is obtained from the Pesticide Use Reports, submitted monthly by growers and/or other
applicators. Other functions of this program include incident and illness investigations, as well as field
and headquarter inspections.

Department staff provide education to the community and growers in the
safe pesticide application practices. We provide and participate in classes for continuing education
hours needed by pesticide applicators to keep their applicators license valid. This all provides
protection to the consumer, worker, environment and user. This makes Tehama County and California
agricultural commodities among the safest in the world.