The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s (Department) Plant Industries Division (Division) enforces the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) in the state under a grant from EPA. The Division’s mandate is to fairly and equitably enforce FIFRA and all State Rules and Regulations involving Pesticides (See Department Rules).  Pesticides perform a valuable role in protecting man and the environment, including agricultural production, from insects, rodents, weeds, and other forms of life which may be pests; but it is essential to the public health and welfare that they are used properly to prevent unreasonable adverse effects on man and the environment.

The Division is divided into two Sections, the Regulatory Section and the Pesticide Section.  The Regulatory Section enforces pesticides used in Pest Control Work. Pest Control work is the management of pests such as treating buildings for termites, roaches, ants or treating lawns and turf for insect and weed pests. 

The Pesticide Section enforces the use, distribution, and application of agricultural pesticides to control agricultural pests.

Since it is not possible for Department inspectors to be present during every pesticide application, the Department must depend on the citizens of this state to report any perceived misuse of pesticides.

GUIDELINE FOR REPORTING AN AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDE COMPLAINT:

1. Contact the Department’s main number at (501) 225-1598 and state you would like to speak to the Pesticide Section about a pesticide complaint. If you are connected to a voicemail, please indicate your name, contact phone number, and leave a brief description of your complaint and your call will be returned as soon as possible.

1. Please have the following information available to provide to the Pesticide Section: