</fontfamily><fontfamily><param>Symbol</param>*</fontfamily><fontfamily><par=
am>Arial</param>
Physical and biological sciences (15 semester units)
</fontfamily><fontfamily><param>Symbol</param>*</fontfamily><fontfamily><par=
am>Arial</param>Crop
health (12 semester units)
</fontfamily><fontfamily><param>Symbol</param>*</fontfamily><fontfamily><par=
am>Arial</param>Pest
management systems and methods (9 units, including at least one course
each in pest management systems and pest management methods)
</fontfamily><fontfamily><param>Symbol</param>*</fontfamily><fontfamily><par=
am>Arial</param>
Production systems (9 semester units)
If you would like more information, please contact the person listed at
the end of the press release, not me
Kathy Brunetti
Calif. Dept. Pesticide Regulation brunetti@empm.cdpr.ca.gov
*************
SACRAMENTO -- Cal/EPA's Department of Pesticide Regulation has proposed
that prospective agricultural pest control advisers (PCAs) be required
to take more college courses related to integrated pest management and
sustainable agriculture.=20
PCAs are licensed by the Department to offer recommendations to
farmers and others on agricultural pest control. =20
Upgrading the PCA educational requirements was first suggested in 1994
by DPR's Pest Management Advisory Committee. The committee concluded an
upgrade was necessary if PCAs were to produce recommendations that
incorporate reduced-risk pest management strategies.
The proposed regulations would allow the current PCA minimum
qualifications to remain in effect through December 31, 2002. This is
designed to lessen the impact of the proposed changes on persons now
doing course work or obtaining required technical work experience. A
DPR survey indicates several state community colleges and California
State University campuses offer the proposed required courses.=20
However, the University of California, Davis, is the only UC campus
which offers all the necessary courses to fulfill the proposed
requirement. Other UC campuses are expected to add the required courses
by the time the regulations go into effect.
"This proposal was made after considerable study and discussion," said
DPR Director James W. Wells. "We looked at imposing this core course
requirement on all PCAs, but as a practical matter, advisers are
required to regularly upgrade their knowledge by obtaining continuing
education relating to pesticides, pests, and pest management. This
proposed minimum qualifications upgrade will ensure future PCAs have
the proper academic background to provide pest control
recommendations."
Copies of the proposed regulations are available on DPR's Web site
<italic><<www.cdpr.ca.gov></italic>, or by calling Fred Bundock at
(916) 324-4194. Comments may be submitted until 5 p.m. on November 2,
1998. E-mail comments may be sent to <<dpr98004@cdpr.ca.gov>. Address
written comments to: Fred Bundock, Department of Pesticide Regulation,
830 K Street, Sacramento 95814.
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