Aerial Application of Seed, Pesticides and Fertilizer

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has established regulations governing aircraft used for the aerial application of pesticides, fertilizer and seed. FDACS has also established requirements for the secure storage of pesticides and fertilizer used by aerial applicators.

Registration

Aircraft Registration

All aircraft used to apply or dispense any pesticide, fertilizer or seed product in Florida must be registered annually with FDACS using the Aircraft Registration Application form. Completed forms should be submitted to the Pesticide Certification Section as directed on the form. No registration fee is required.

Other Registrations

Storage Requirements

Aircraft Storage 

Florida law requires all aircraft used to apply or dispense any pesticide, fertilizer, or seed to be secured when not in use. Secured when not in use means:

• Keeping the aircraft within a locked building, locked in place securely and mechanically disabled from flying, or
• Use of any other reasonable method that prevents or deters theft or unauthorized use.

Chemical Storage 

Florida law requires all pesticides and fertilizers on the premises owned or controlled by any aerial applicator to be stored and maintained so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons. Secured storage means:

• Fences with a minimum height of 6 feet;
• Door locks;
• Valve locks;
• Electronic security systems;
• Disabling of mobile storage units;
• Blocking of access, ingress or egress; or
• Any other reasonable method to prevent or deter theft or unauthorized use.

Buildings used to store pesticides and/or fertilizers must be of rigid construction so unauthorized entry cannot be achieved without the use of heavy machinery or equipment. If a portable building is used, the building must be secured in place so it cannot be towed or otherwise removed by unauthorized persons.

Inspection Authority

FDACS representatives are authorized to inspect aircraft required to be registered with FDACS for application of agricultural products. Inspections may take place during normal working hours without prior notification or as determined necessary when an emergency has been declared. Inspections focus on equipment relating to aerial application and whether all law and rule requirements have been met.

Record Keeping

During an emergency declared by the Florida Governor or Commissioner of Agriculture, aerial applicators must keep records relating to the aerial application of all pesticides, fertilizers and seed. This is required by Florida law and regulations. Records must contain the following information:

1. Name, FDACS pesticide applicator license number, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) license number of the licensee responsible for the application;
2. Date, start time and end time of treatment;
3. Location of treatment site, which may be recorded using any of the following designations:a.  County, range, township and section;b.  An identification system using maps and/or written descriptions that accurately identify the location and distinguish the treatment site from other sites;c.  The legal property description; ord.  Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) coordinates or longitude/latitude points that delineate the treated area.
4. Name of the person requesting or authorizing the application;
5. Aircraft manufacturer, make and model;
6. FAA aircraft registration number; and
7. Originating airport or airstrip.

The above information must be maintained for a period of two years from application in a manner that is accessible by FDACS upon request.

Reporting Aircraft Transactions

Any purchase, sale, rental, leasing or transfer of ownership of an aircraft used for application of any pesticide, fertilizer or seed must be reported to FDACS within 24 hours of the transaction. The report must be faxed to (850) 617-7895 or delivered to the Pesticide Certification Section at 3125 Conner Blvd., Bldg. 8, Tallahassee, FL, on one of the following forms:

1. Report of Aircraft Transaction[ ] (FDACS form)
2. Ownership Declaration and Sales and Use Tax Report on Aircraft [ 59 kB ] (Florida Department of Revenue Form DR-42A)
3. Aircraft Bill of Sale [ 60 kB ] (FAA Form AC 8050-2)