The Texas Department of Agriculture is the lead state agency for regulating pesticides. This responsibility includes investigating complaints of alleged pesticide misuse. TDA investigates complaints from any person who believes he or she may have suffered adverse effects from a pesticide application, pesticide applications made inconsistent with the label, unlicensed businesses or individuals, Wood Destroying Insect Reports which may be incomplete or inaccurate (inaccuracy complaints may require further documentation), or anyone who believes a violation of the Texas Pesticide Law or related regulations has occurred.

How to File a Complaint

Persons who want to report pesticide exposure or misuse should contact (866) 918-4481 or email spcs@TexasAgriculture.gov. TDA may initiate an investigation when notified either by phone or in writing.

The Complaint Process

The complaint will be reviewed to determine if SPCS has jurisdiction concerning the complaint allegations.  If SPCS does not have the proper jurisdiction to investigate your complaint but another state agency is believed to have the jurisdiction, SPCS will refer your complaint.   

Your complaint will be assigned to a SPCS inspector.  The inspector will contact you and may want to meet you to ask additional questions and review and/or gather any physical evidence. The inspector may also collect relevant information from other sources. The inspector will then submit a report to the TDA Enforcement Division.  

Copies of the Report

The investigation report is subject to the provisions of the Texas Public Information Act. A copy of the report will be provided to the parties involved upon written request. Requests for reports should reference the TDA Incident Number located on the complaint form and be sent to: PubInfo@TexasAgriculture.gov. 

Reports are not available immediately following an investigation. Any samples collected must be analyzed and photographs properly documented. Interviews with all parties must be conducted before a report can be finalized.

Enforcement Actions

Depending on the result of the investigation, TDA may find that no violation could be documented or is unable to determine the responsible party and close the case without further action.

In the event that a violation can be documented, TDA may issue a warning; assess an administrative penalty; suspend, modify or revoke a license; or refer the case to another appropriate state or federal agency, county attorney, district attorney or Texas attorney general for further action. Monetary penalties collected by the state are deposited to the State's General Revenue Fund and not for the use of TDA.

 

National Pesticide Information Center is a cooperative effort of Oregon State University and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that provides pesticide information to any caller in the United States, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands. NPIC provides objective, science-based information about a wide variety of pesticide-related subjects, including: pesticide products; recognition and management of pesticide poisoning; toxicology and environmental chemistry. NPIC operates 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific time, 7 days a week, excluding holidays. Phone: 1-800-858-7378 FAX: 1-541-737-0761 http://npic.orst.edu/