PAT FUNDING IN JEOPARDY

During the Western Region Pesticide Meeting in early May, an official from EPA announced the agency is considering eliminating the pass-through funding for Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT). This would affect all PAT offices, such as Ohio State University Extension, that use the funds to support training and recertification programs.

U.S. EPA has been instructed to reduce discretionary spending which affects programs such as PAT, Endangered Species and others. The final decision regarding the spending cuts is expected by the beginning of June. The pass-through funds for PAT programming has been stable since the 1970s when the certification and training program for pesticide applicators was started. Stay tune for more information.