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HomeFood and Agricultural CodeDiv. 6Ch. 6Art. 1§ 12003 Written Pesticide Recommendations

§ 12003 Written Pesticide Recommendations

Food and Agricultural Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 12003 Written Pesticide Recommendations

This law says pest‑control advisers must give farmers a written recommendation before any pesticide is used, and they must give copies to the farmer, the pesticide dealer, and the person who will apply it.

Key Takeaways

  • •All pest‑control advice must be in writing, signed and dated.
  • •A copy must be given to the farm owner, the pesticide dealer, and the applicator before any spray.
  • •The written note must list the pesticide name and dose, the pest, the land area, the crop, the timing, a safety warning, and the adviser’s contact info.
  • •The director can ask for any extra information to be included.

Example

A corn farmer asks a pest‑control adviser for help with a beetle problem. The adviser writes a recommendation that lists the pesticide name, amount, the beetle, the field size, the corn crop, when to spray, a safety warning, and signs it. The farmer gets a copy, and the pesticide dealer and the spray crew each get a copy before the spray happens.

Because the law requires a written, signed, dated recommendation with all those details, the farmer, dealer, and applicator all have the same information before any pesticide is put on the field.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12003 Written Pesticide Recommendations

Agricultural pest control advisers shall put all recommendations concerning any agricultural use in writing. One copy of each such written recommendation shall be signed and dated and shall be furnished to the operator of the property prior to the application. Where a pesticide use is recommended a copy shall also be furnished to the dealer and the applicator prior to the application. Each written recommendation shall include, when applicable, the following: (a) The name and dosage of each pesticide to be used or description of method recommended. (b) The identity of each pest to be controlled. (c) The owner or operator, location of and acreage to be treated. (d) The commodity, crop, or site to be treated. (e) The suggested schedule, time, or conditions for the pesticide application or other control method. (f) A warning of the possibility of damages by the pesticide application that reasonably should have been known by the agricultural pest control adviser to exist. (g) The signature and address of the person making the recommendation, the date, and the name of the business such person represents. (h) Any other information the director may require. (Amended by Stats. 1988, Ch. 1118, Sec. 4.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

Agricultural pest control adviserswritten recommendationpesticide applicationsignature and address

Related Statutes

  • § 12004 Recommendation Retention Requirement
  • § 12001 Agricultural Pest Control Adviser Licensing
  • § 12002 Agricultural Pest Control Adviser Registration
  • § 12005 Director Rulemaking Authority
  • § 14901 Commercial Feed Quality Standards

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Food and Agricultural Code. Section 12003.
View Official Source