Who is responsible for regulating pesticide use in New York State?

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is the agency responsible for regulating pesticide use within the state. This includes overseeing the registration of pesticides, the licensing of pesticide applicators, and ensuring compliance with state and federal pesticide laws. The NYSDEC plays a crucial role in protecting human health and the environment by enforcing regulations designed to minimize pesticide risks.

While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governs pesticide regulation at the federal level, it is the NYSDEC that enforces these regulations specifically for New York State. The Department of Health addresses public health concerns related to pesticide exposure but does not regulate the use of pesticides directly. Similarly, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) focuses more on agricultural practices and research rather than on the regulation of pesticide application and safety.