Requesting that the Virginia Pesticide Control Board prescribe additional experience requirements for certified commercial aerial applicators who are seeking to own and operate a commercial aerial pesticide application business.  The petitioner proposes that the applicator have at least two years of experience in the field and a minimum of 300 hours performing actual aerial application.

The Pesticide Control Board will consider this request at its July 15, 2010 quarterly meeting.

At its July 15, 2010 quarterly meeting the Pesticide Control Board denied this request.  Reasons for the decision included the Board's concern that this action would have a disparate impact on commercial aerial applicators who sought to operate a business vs. non-certified persons who could own and operate such a business while hiring quailfied aerial applicators.  The Board also determined there did not appear to be a consensus among other state pesticide licensing agencies on this issue so that setting specific experience standards for aerial applicators ought to be determined by the Federal Aviation Agency and the Virginia Department of Aviation.