Chapter 94

94.705 94.705 Pesticides; certification requirements and standards.

94.705(1) (1) Certification requirements.

94.705(1)(a) (a)

94.705(1)(a)1. 1. No person may use or direct the use of a restricted-use pesticide as a private applicator unless the person is certified as a private applicator in the applicable pesticide use category under this section.

94.705(1)(a)2. 2. No person may use or direct the use of any pesticide as a commercial applicator unless the person is all of the following:

94.705(1)(a)2.a. a. Certified as a commercial applicator in the applicable pesticide use category under this section.

94.705(1)(a)2.b. b. Licensed as an individual commercial applicator under s. 94.704. This subd. 2. b. does not apply to a private applicator who uses or directs the use of a pesticide as a commercial applicator on an occasional or incidental basis only.

94.705(1)(b) (b) Applications for certification shall be submitted on forms prescribed by the department and shall specify the category of pesticide use and application for which application for certification is made. Certifications shall be valid for a period of 5 years from date of issuance or renewal, unless terminated or suspended by the department for failure to comply with the terms and conditions of its issuance or for violation of ss. 94.67 to 94.71 or rules or orders issued under ss. 94.67 to 94.71. Certifications may be changed or amended during the 5-year period for which issued by the addition of other categories of pesticide use and application for which the applicator was not certified at the beginning of the certification period, but all the changes or amendments shall expire concurrently with the end of the 5-year certification period.

94.705(1)(c) (c) A certified private applicator may be granted an additional 5 years of certification upon the expiration of his or her certification, under one of the certification options under sub. (5). A certified commercial applicator may be granted an additional 5 years of certification upon the expiration of his or her certification, subject to a written examination approved by the department.

94.705(1)(d) (d) Except as provided under sub. (4), no commercial applicator may be certified except upon satisfactory completion of a written examination. The examination shall be designed to test the applicant’s competency in each category of pesticide use for which the applicant seeks certification.

94.705(2) (2) Certification standards. The department shall, by rule, adopt standards for the training and certification of private and commercial applicators, at least equal to but not to exceed federal standards adopted under the federal act. In the adoption of the standards, separate categories of pesticide use and application may be established for certification purposes depending on the specific types of pesticides used, the purposes for which they are used, types of equipment required in their application, the degree of knowledge and skill required and other factors which may warrant the creation of different categories. The standards shall provide that individuals to be certified must be competent with respect to the use and application of pesticides in the various categories of pesticide use and application for which certification is desired. For commercial applicators, competence in the use and handling of pesticides shall be determined on the basis of written examinations.

94.705(2m) (2m) Military instruction. Any relevant training that an applicant for certification under this section has obtained in connection with any military service, as defined in s. 111.32 (12g), counts toward satisfying the requirements for training for certification under this section if the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the training obtained by the applicant is substantially equivalent to the training required for certification.

94.705(3) (3) Records; reports. Certified commercial applicators, including nonresident commercial applicators, shall maintain records of amounts, dates, types, places and uses of all pesticides as prescribed by the department. Records shall be kept for 2 years and shall be open to and available for inspection at all reasonable times by the department or cooperating governmental enforcement agencies.

94.705(4) (4) Certification of nonresidents.

94.705(4)(a) (a) The department may, without examination or training in this state, certify a nonresident to use or direct the use of pesticides in a specific pesticide use category if the nonresident meets all of the following requirements:

94.705(4)(a)1. 1. The person is certified to use pesticides, in the same or similar pesticide use category, under laws or programs in the person’s state of residence which have requirements for certification equivalent to this section and ss. 94.703 and 94.704 and the rules under this section and ss. 94.703 and 94.704. In order to be certified without examination as a commercial applicator in this state, the person must be certified as a commercial applicator in the person’s state of residence.

94.705(4)(a)2. 2. The person’s license or certification in the state of residence has not been denied, suspended or revoked under the federal act or by the state of residence.

94.705(4)(b) (b) An application for nonresident certification under par. (a) shall be made on a form provided by the department. The department may require an applicant to submit any information that is reasonably necessary for the administration of this subsection. An application under this subsection shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of $75, except that no fee is required for the certification of a nonresident as a private applicator. The department shall deposit the fees collected under this paragraph in the agrichemical management fund.

94.705(4)(c) (c) A certification issued under this subsection expires on December 31 of the year of issuance and is not transferable. If the holder of a nonresident certification becomes a resident of this state, the nonresident certification may not be renewed after its expiration date.

94.705(5) (5) Private applicators. The department shall certify resident private applicators to use restricted-use pesticides in any of the following ways, as it deems appropriate:

94.705(5)(a) (a) Certification by training session. A private applicator may attend a pesticide applicator training session approved by the department. The training shall cover all areas of competency necessary to comply with standards under the federal act. No person seeking certification under this paragraph may be required to take a written examination in order to obtain certification. Upon successful completion of the training session the applicator shall be granted certification for 5 years.

94.705(5)(b) (b) Certification by examination. A private applicator may take a written examination approved by the department including all areas of competency necessary to comply with the federal act. Certification for 5 years shall be granted to the applicator upon successful completion of the examination. A private applicator may engage in a self-study program using training materials available in training sessions under par. (a). Written examinations shall be given at a designated department office, county extension office or at a site approved by the department.

94.705(5)(c) (c) Certification for emergency use. A person may apply for an emergency use certification. Only one emergency use certification shall be granted to a person. Thereafter, certification under par. (a) or (b) is necessary. The department shall conduct a specific evaluation of the applicant’s ability to use and apply the pesticide safely and correctly and make any other evaluations deemed necessary by the department. The department shall notify the dealer by telephone that the applicant has been granted an emergency use certification. Written notice of the applicant’s responsibility and liability shall be sent by the department to the dealer and the applicant. This certification shall be valid for a onetime specific use only. The department’s evaluation shall be conducted at a designated department office, any University of Wisconsin-Extension office, or any other site approved by the department.

94.705(5)(d) (d) Certification for persons of limited English language ability. Persons of limited English language ability shall receive the training necessary to permit them to use and apply restricted-use pesticides. The department shall conduct an oral evaluation of each person to determine competency. Certification under this paragraph shall be required for use of each restricted-use pesticide. Each certificate shall state the specific restricted-use pesticide the person is certified to use or apply.

94.705 History History: 1977 c. 106; 1987 a. 27 ss. 1693cz to 1693ds, 1693dz; 1993 a. 16, 27; 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 27; 2001 a. 103; 2011 a. 120.

94.705 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. ATCP 29, 30, and 31 and ss. ATCP 160.19 and 160.21, Wis. adm. code.

94.707 94.707 Distribution and sale of certain pesticides.

94.707(1) (1) Prohibition. No person may distribute, sell, offer for sale or use any pesticide product containing any of the following active ingredients:

94.707(1)(a) (a) 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T).

94.707(1)(b) (b) 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) propionic acid (silvex).

94.707(1)(c) (c) Aldrin.

94.707(1)(d) (d) Chlordane.

94.707(1)(e) (e) Dieldrin.

94.707(1)(f) (f) Heptachlor.

94.707(1m) (1m) Use of daminozide on food-producing plants prohibited. No person may distribute, sell, offer for sale or use any pesticide product containing daminozide as an active ingredient and intended for use on a food-producing plant.

94.707(2) (2) Exemption. The prohibition under sub. (1) does not apply to a person using or possessing a pesticide product containing any active ingredient under sub. (1) (a) to (f) according to the terms and conditions of an experimental use permit issued under the federal act or rules of the department.

94.707(3) (3) Existing stocks.

94.707(3)(a) (a) No later than 6 months after the applicable date under par. (d), any person, except a dealer or distributor, who owned any quantity of a pesticide listed in sub. (1m) or containing an active ingredient listed in sub. (1) (c) to (f) on the applicable date under par. (d) shall return or deliver all of that pesticide to the manufacturer or to the dealer or distributor from whom he or she purchased the pesticide.

94.707(3)(b) (b) No later than one year after the applicable date under par. (d), any dealer or distributor who owned any amount of a pesticide listed in sub. (1m) or containing an active ingredient listed in sub. (1) (c) to (f) on the applicable date under par. (d) or who received any such pesticide under par. (a) shall return or deliver all of that pesticide to the manufacturer.

94.707(3)(c) (c) Within 30 days after receiving any pesticide under par. (a) or (b), a dealer, distributor or manufacturer shall pay the person from whom the pesticide was received the amount of money which that dealer, distributor or manufacturer charged that person for the quantity of pesticide received. No payment under this paragraph may exceed the fair market value of the pesticide immediately before the applicable date under par. (d).

94.707(3)(d) (d) The applicable dates for sub. (3) are the following:

94.707(3)(d)1. 1. For pesticide products containing the ingredients under sub. (1) (c) to (f), May 3, 1988.

94.707(3)(d)2. 2. For pesticide products containing the ingredient under sub. (1m), February 15, 1990.

94.707 History History: 1983 a. 397; 1987 a. 357; 1989 a. 52.

94.707 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. ATCP 29, 30, and 31 and ss. ATCP 160.19 and 160.21, Wis. adm. code.

94.708 94.708 Pesticides; sale and use to control bats.

94.708(1) (1) Definition. As used in this section, “bat control purposes” means for the purpose of killing, injuring, repelling or otherwise affecting the behavior of bats.

94.708(2) (2) Sale prohibited. Except as provided under sub. (4), no person may sell, hold for sale or distribute any pesticide except naphthalene for bat control purposes to a person in this state. No dealer may advertise in this state or recommend any pesticide for bat control purposes to a person in this state.

94.708(3) (3) Use prohibited. Except as provided under sub. (4), no person may use any pesticide except naphthalene for bat control purposes.

94.708(4) (4) Exception. The department shall promulgate rules establishing standards for the sale, advertisement and use of pesticides for emergency bat control. The department may issue a permit authorizing the use of a pesticide in accordance with the rules that it promulgates only in the case of an individual bat colony after a determination that there exists an outbreak of rabies that threatens public health or another situation where the existence of a colony of bats threatens the health or welfare of any person. The department may not base its determination on an isolated individual instance of a rabid bat.

94.708 History History: 1983 a. 353; 1997 a. 27.

94.708 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. ATCP 29, 30, and 31 and ss. ATCP 160.19 and 160.21, Wis. adm. code.

94.709 94.709 Distribution and sale of DDT prohibited.

94.709(1) (1) No person shall distribute, sell, offer for sale or use the chemical compound DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) or any of its isomers except as provided in this section. In sub. (2) “DDT” includes compounds isomeric with DDT.

94.709(2) (2) 

94.709(2)(a) (a) In the event of the outbreak of an epidemic disease of humans or animals spread by insects which it is known can be controlled by DDT but cannot be adequately controlled by any other known pesticide, the department may authorize the use of DDT in controlling the epidemic upon a finding that:

94.709(2)(a)1. 1. A serious epidemic disease of humans or animals exists;

94.709(2)(a)2. 2. The disease is likely to spread rapidly unless insects which spread the disease are controlled; and

94.709(2)(a)3. 3. The only effective means of control is DDT.

94.709(2)(b) (b) In the event of the outbreak of a plant disease of epidemic proportions which threatens a significant portion of the affected crop and which is caused or spread by an insect which it is known can be controlled by DDT but cannot be adequately controlled by any other known pesticide, the department may authorize the use of DDT in controlling the epidemic upon a finding that:

94.709(2)(b)1. 1. An epidemic plant disease exists;

94.709(2)(b)2. 2. The disease threatens a significant portion of the affected crop; and

94.709(2)(b)3. 3. The only effective means of control is DDT.

94.709(2)(c) (c) The department also may authorize the use of DDT or its isomers or metabolites for specified research by educational institutions if it finds that no ecologically significant residues of DDT or its isomers or metabolites will be allowed to escape into the environment.

94.709 History History: 1971 c. 40 s. 93; 1977 c. 203; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 111 ss. 18 to 24; Stats. 1997 s. 94.709.

94.709 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. ATCP 29, 30, and 31 and ss. ATCP 160.19 and 160.21, Wis. adm. code.

94.71 94.71 Pesticides; penalties; enforcement.

94.71(1) (1) Penalties.

94.71(1)(a) (a)

94.71(1)(a)1. 1. Any person who violates ss. 94.67 to 94.71 or any rules or orders issued under ss. 94.67 to 94.71 shall forfeit not less than $100 nor more than $500 for the first violation and not less than $200 nor more than $1,000 for any subsequent violation within 5 years.

94.71(1)(a)2. 2. Any commercial applicator, dealer or distributor who knowingly violates any provision of ss. 94.67 to 94.71 or any rules or orders issued under ss. 94.67 to 94.71 may be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than one year in the county jail or both. Other persons, including private applicators who knowingly violate ss. 94.67 to 94.71 or any rules or orders issued under ss. 94.67 to 94.71 may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than 30 days or both.

94.71(1)(b) (b) Certified applicators shall be responsible for the acts of persons who are their employees or acting under their supervision and engaged in the use or application of pesticides.

94.71(2) (2) Seizures. If the department has reasonable cause to believe that any pesticide is in violation of ss. 94.67 to 94.71, it may deliver to the owner or custodian of the pesticide an order prohibiting the sale or movement of the pesticide until an analysis or examination has been completed. Such holding order shall not be effective for more than 60 days from the time of delivery thereof. The pesticide described in any holding order shall not be sold or moved for any purpose without the approval of the department. If the department, after analysis or examination, determines that the pesticide described in the order is not in violation of ss. 94.67 to 94.71, it shall promptly notify the owner or custodian of the pesticide and the notice shall terminate the holding order. If the analysis or examination shows that the pesticide is in violation of ss. 94.67 to 94.71, the owner or custodian of the pesticide shall be so notified. Upon receipt of notice the owner or custodian shall dispose of the pesticide only in a manner authorized by the department. The owner or custodian may within 10 days of receipt of notice petition for a hearing as provided in s. 93.18.

94.71(3) (3) Enforcement.

94.71(3)(a) (a) Examination of pesticides shall be made under the direction of the department for the purpose of determining whether they comply with the requirements of ss. 94.67 to 94.71. The department or any person may refer the facts to the district attorney for the county in which the violation occurred. In addition to or in lieu of any other remedies provided herein, the department may apply to a circuit court for a temporary or permanent injunction to prevent, restrain or enjoin violations of ss. 94.67 to 94.71 and any rules or special or summary orders issued thereunder.

94.71(3)(b) (b) Every registrant or other person whose name and address appears on the label of any pesticide as the manufacturer, packer, distributor or dealer, shall, to the extent that the registrant or other person is able to furnish to the department, on request, when found by the department to be necessary to prevent or control an imminent hazard to the public, a listing of all sales locations or warehouse locations maintained by the registrant or other person in this state for the sale or distribution of products registered by the registrant or other person or bearing the registrant’s or other person’s name and address as such manufacturer, packer, distributor or dealer; the name and address of all distributors or dealers selling or distributing such products in this state; and the name and address of all outside sales representatives employed by the registrant or other person in this state for the sale or distribution of such products.

94.71(3)(c) (c) In addition to other enforcement procedures, the department may issue a special order under s. 93.18 prohibiting the use, application, storage, distribution or sale of pesticides in violation of ss. 94.67 to 94.71 or rules issued under ss. 94.67 to 94.71. A special order may be issued under this paragraph to prevent or control pesticide contamination of groundwater under ss. 160.23 and 160.25. Special orders may be issued on a summary basis, without prior complaint, notice or hearing, where necessary to protect public health or the environment. A summary special order is subject to a subsequent right of hearing before the department, if requested within 10 days after the date on which the order is served. Any party affected by the order may request a preliminary or informal hearing pending the scheduling and conduct of a full hearing. Hearings, if requested, shall be conducted as expeditiously as possible after receipt of a request for a hearing. Enforcement of the order shall not be stayed pending action on the hearing.

94.71 History History: 1977 c. 106; 1983 a. 410; 1993 a. 492.

94.71 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. ATCP 29, 30, and 31 and ss. ATCP 160.19 and 160.21, Wis. adm. code.

94.71 Annotation The legislature may constitutionally prescribe a criminal penalty for the violation of an administrative rule. State v. Courtney, 74 Wis. 2d 705, 247 N.W.2d 714 (1976).

94.715 94.715 Pest management for schools.

94.715(1) (1) Definition. In this section, “pesticide” has the meaning given in s. 94.67 (25), except that “pesticide” does not include a germicide, sanitizer, or disinfectant.

94.715(2) (2) Requirements for school boards. A school board shall do all of the following:

94.715(2)(dm) (dm) Authorize pesticide application in a school or on school grounds to be conducted only by persons who are certified in the applicable pesticide use categories under s. 94.705.

94.715(2)(g) (g) Post notice of each pesticide application in a school or on school grounds at the time of the application and for at least 72 hours following the application.

94.715 History History: 2001 a. 16; 2021 a. 238 ss. 44, 45.

94.72 94.72 Commercial feed.

94.72(1) (1) Definitions.

94.72(1)(a) (a) “Brand name” means any word, name, symbol or device, or any combination thereof identifying the commercial feed of a manufacturer or distributor and distinguishing it from that of others.