Farmers must be certified to buy and use pesticides

By Gary Sliworsky
OMAF/MRA Rep.

Under Regulation 63/09 of the Pesticides Act, Ontario farmers must be certified to buy and use Class 2 or 3 pesticides on their farms or woodlots. Certified Farmers must ensure that pesticides are purchased, used, stored, transported and disposed of according to Regulation 63/09. To become certified a farmer must successfully complete the Grower Pesticide Safety Course. This course is recognized by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE).
MOE classifies pesticides into one of 11 different classes. Class 2 or 3 pesticides are the most hazardous. You must be certified before you can buy and use them. To find out if the products you plan to use on your farm are Class 2 or 3 pesticides, you can contact your local vendor, or check the MOE web site at www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/land/pesticides/class-pesticides.php
Under Regulation 63/09 of the Pesticides Act, you are a farmer if you own or operate an agricultural operation. Renting, leasing or share cropping a farm are included in this definition. Agricultural operations include activities to:
•grow, produce or raise farm animals or crops
•produce eggs, cream or milk
•operate agricultural machinery and equipment
•process farm products, or
•manage nutrients.
Certified Farmers may also buy and use Class 2 or 3 pesticides to manage the woodlot on their farm.
To become a Certified Farmer you must:
•meet the definition of a farmer under Regulation 63/09, and
•be at least 16 years of age, and
•attend a one day Grower Pesticide Safety Course, and
•successfully complete the course and the certification exam.
You must renew your certification every five years. You can:
•attend a classroom session and pass the exam at the course, or
•study on your own and pass the exam at an exam-only session.
The Ontario Pesticide Education Program at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus coordinates the Grower Pesticide Safety Course across Ontario. Courses and exam-only sessions (to renew a certificate) are offered between November and April.
A Grower Pesticide Safety Course is scheduled to be held in Emo on March 20, 2014. Renewal notices have been sent to anyone who holds a certificate that will expire during 2014. If you are no longer certified or have not been previously certified please contact the Ontario Pesticide Education Program to register. You can:
•call 1-800-652-8573, or
•fax 1-519-674-1589, or
•e-mail rcopep@uoguelph.ca
Manuals are available at the Emo OMAF/MRA office.
Grower Pesticide Safety Cowww.opep.ca