Training
Initial Training
Anybody wishing to register as a Pesticide Advisor must hold the Professional Diploma in Integrated Pest Management & Sustainable Use of Pesticides or equivalent. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) will determine if alternative qualifications meet requirements on a case by case basis.
For those who wish to provide pesticide advice to grassland farmers only, completion of the Teagasc-led Grassland Pesticide Training course will allow them to register as a Pesticide Advisor (Grassland) – PA(G) with DAFM.
Continuous Professional Education (CPE)
In order to maintain DAFM registration, approved Pesticide Advisors will be required to maintain Continuous Professional Education (CPE). All DAFM-registered PAs must provide evidence of compliance with the required CPE on an annual basis. Irish Agricultural Supply Industry Standards (IASIS) have developed a CPE scheme for Pesticide Advisors which is recognised for this purpose by DAFM. DAFM will determine if alternative CPE schemes meet requirements on a case by case basis.
Note: If you are registered as both a Pesticide Advisor (PA) and a Pesticide Distributor (PD), you should make yourself aware of the slightly different CPE requirements that will apply to you.
Course and Event Continuous Professional Education (CPE) credit approval
If you, your organisation or company wish to apply for CPE credits for an event or course you are organising, please contact IASIS for further details on how it can be approved.