As a preventative measure to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the Ontario Pesticide Education Program cancelled all classroom Grower Pesticide Safety Courses and Pesticide Vendor Certification Courses as of March 16, 2020.

Online courses continue, but pesticide safety certification will expire for more than 1,400 Ontario growers and vendors this spring.

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks announced on April 9 that growers and vendors whose certification expires on or after January 1, 2020, will be extended until December 31, 2020. Extending these certification dates will allow Ontario’s growers to continue to purchase and use the products they need for the 2020 growing season, and allows vendors to continue selling pesticides.

The Ontario Pesticide Education Program has offered courses since 1987. The courses focus on product information, health and environmental risk management, pesticide application and pesticide safety practices. Currently more than 22,000 growers, 1, 300 vendors and nearly 300 on-farm instructors are certified through the program. It is supported by growers, OMAFRA, pesticide manufacturers and retailers. 

For more information, contact: Susan Kelner or Lynn Van Maanen, Ontario Pesticide Education Program, University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, Ridgetown, ON N0P 2C0519-674-1500 x63584 or x63586 skelner@uoguelph.ca or lvanma01@uoguelph.ca@ONspraysafety

Source: Ontario Pesticide Education Program April 9, 2020 news release