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EPA funds aid ag agency's pesticide protection effortsOklahoma The Environmental Protection Agency has approved another year of funding to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry for pesticide programs. The funds are provided annually under an agreement between the agencies that allows the state to enforce federal pesticide rules and programs. State agriculture officials say the grant--expected to total over $635,000--is critical this year. "Given the budget shortfall we're forced to deal with this year we are especially thankful to be getting these funds," said Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, Terry Peach. "Pesticide inspections, certifications and training are required by both state and federal law and make up a great deal of our consumer and environmental protection work and we really had to have this money this year." During the 2009 federal fiscal year the agency investigated about 500 pesticide incidents or complaints. Agency records show a total of 79 enforcement actions resulting in over $70,000 in fines. In addition to helping administer regulatory programs related to pesticides, the funding is also used for applicator certification, worker protection standards and groundwater and endangered species protection programs. "We are also able to fund the unwanted pesticide disposal program with the aid of these federal funds combined with registration fees paid by the pesticide industry," Peach said. "Last fiscal year we collected and safely disposed over 101,000 pounds of pesticide statewide. Without this program much of this material might have been disposed of improperly and pose a danger to the environment and public safety."
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