Gov. Haley Barbour and EPA have authorized the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce and Commissioner Lester Spell to assume the responsibility of regulating aerial applicators effective today.

MDAC will administer the regulation and licensing of aerial applicators through the Bureau of Plant Industry, a regulatory and service agency of MDAC that protects the agricultural and horticultural interest of Mississippi. BPI will register, license and administer compliance programs for the agricultural aviation industry to ensure public safety and help maintain the important role agricultural aviation plays in Mississippi.

Currently, BPI regulates all pest control operators, private and commercial ground applicators and the aerial application of hormone-type herbicides. The Mississippi Agricultural Aviation Board, which was responsible for regulating aerial applicators, expired on June 30.

For further information, contact BPI at (662) 325-3390 or toll free at (888) 257-1285.