What legislation gives the Michigan Department of Agriculture authority to certify commercial applicators?

The legislation that provides the Michigan Department of Agriculture the authority to certify commercial applicators is primarily the Pesticide Control Act. This act was established to regulate the use of pesticides in the state of Michigan, including the certification and licensing of commercial applicators to ensure safe and effective pesticide application. By designating roles and responsibilities for certification under this legislation, the state can maintain oversight and enforce regulations that protect both the public and the environment.

Other options, while important in their own right, do not specifically grant certification authority. The Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act is more focused on broader environmental protections rather than specifically on pest control certification. Regulation 637 refers to operational standards and may relate to licensing, but it is issued under the authority of the Pesticide Control Act, meaning it serves as an extension rather than a primary source of authority. FIFRA, or the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, governs pesticide use at the federal level but doesn't directly grant state agencies the authority for certification of applicators. Thus, the Pesticide Control Act is the correct legislation that specifically addresses certification for commercial applicators in Michigan.