Subdivision 1. Education and training. (a) The commissioner, as the lead agency, shall develop, implement or approve, and evaluate, in consultation with University of Minnesota Extension, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, and other educational institutions, innovative educational and training programs addressing pesticide concerns including:
(1) water quality protection;
(2) endangered species protection;
(3) minimizing pesticide residues in food and water;
(4) worker protection and applicator safety;
(5) chronic toxicity;
(6) integrated pest management and pest resistance;
(7) pesticide disposal;
(8) pesticide drift;
(9) relevant laws including pesticide labels and labeling and state and federal rules and regulations;
(10) current science and technology updates; and
(11) thresholds and guidance to reduce the impacts of insecticide on pollinators.
(b) The commissioner shall appoint educational planning committees which must include representatives of industry and applicators.
(c) Specific current regulatory concerns must be discussed and, if appropriate, incorporated into each training session. Relevant changes to pesticide product labels or labeling or state and federal rules and regulations may be included.
(d) The commissioner may approve programs from private industry, higher education institutions, and nonprofit organizations that meet minimum requirements for education, training, and certification.
Subd. 2. Training manual and examination development. The commissioner, in consultation with University of Minnesota Extension and other higher education institutions, shall continually revise and update pesticide applicator training manuals and examinations. The manuals and examinations must be written to meet or exceed the minimum standards required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and pertinent state specific information. Questions in the examinations must be determined by the commissioner in consultation with other responsible agencies. Manuals and examinations must include pesticide management practices that discuss prevention of pesticide occurrence in groundwater and surface water of the state, and economic thresholds and guidance for insecticide use.
Subd. 3. [Repealed, 2007 c 133 art 2 s 13]
1989 c 326 art 5 s 34; 1997 c 192 s 13; 2001 c 161 s 8; 2013 c 114 art 2 s 33; 2017 c 88 art 2 s 16
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture
Chapter 18B — Pesticide Control
Section 18B.02 — Preemption Of Local Law.
Section 18B.03 — Powers And Duties Of Commissioner.
Section 18B.04 — Pesticide Impact On Environment.
Section 18B.045 — Pesticide Management Plan.
Section 18B.05 — Pesticide Regulatory Account.
Section 18B.051 — Pollinator Research Account.
Section 18B.055 — Compensation For Bees Killed By Pesticide; Appropriation.
Section 18B.063 — State Uses Of Pesticides And Nutrients.
Section 18B.064 — Pesticide Use Information.
Section 18B.065 — Waste Pesticide Collection Program.
Section 18B.07 — Pesticide Use, Application, And Equipment Cleaning.
Section 18B.09 — Pesticide Application In Cities.
Section 18B.095 — Pesticide Application In Schools.
Section 18B.10 — Action To Prevent Groundwater Contamination.
Section 18B.11 — Sale Or Use Of Tcdd.
Section 18B.115 — Sale Or Use Of Chlordane Or Heptachlor.
Section 18B.12 — Sale And Distribution Of Adulterated Pesticides.
Section 18B.13 — Sale And Distribution Of Misbranded Pesticides And Devices.
Section 18B.135 — Sale Of Pesticides In Returnable Containers And Management Of Unused Portions.
Section 18B.14 — Pesticide Storage.
Section 18B.17 — Cooperative Inspection And Enforcement Agreements.
Section 18B.24 — Unsatisfied Judgments.
Section 18B.26 — Pesticide Registration.
Section 18B.27 — Pesticide Registration For Special Local Needs.
Section 18B.28 — Experimental Use Pesticide Product Registration.
Section 18B.29 — Reciprocal Licensing And Certification Agreements.
Section 18B.305 — Pesticide Education And Training.
Section 18B.31 — Pesticide Dealer License.
Section 18B.316 — Agricultural Pesticide Dealer License And Reporting.
Section 18B.32 — Structural Pest Control License.
Section 18B.33 — Commercial Applicator License.
Section 18B.34 — Noncommercial Applicator License.
Section 18B.345 — Pesticide Application On Golf Courses.
Section 18B.346 — Pesticide Application On Railroad Property.
Section 18B.35 — Application Categories Within Applicator Licenses.
Section 18B.36 — Private Applicator Certification.
Section 18B.37 — Records; Plans; Inspections.