How to acquire a plant protection products vendor certificate
A plant protection products vendor is a person who works in a licensed plant protection products distribution site and not only sells plant protection products, but also advises customers about them.
The certificate of a seller of plant protection products is issued by the State Plant Protection Service in the following cases:
- If the person has a higher or secondary vocational education in agriculture, he or she does not have to complete the training programme, but must pass an exam.
In this case, the person must submit an application, indicating the type of certificate desired, to any State plant protection serviceregional office or State plant protection service administration in Riga, Lielvārdes iela 36. State plant protection service informs the person about the time and place of the test. - If the person does not have higher or secondary vocational training in agriculture, they must complete a training programme and pass an exam.
In this case, the person must apply to one of the training providers, a list of which is published on the State plant protection service's website. The trainee is responsible for covering the costs associated with the training. The training provider shall determine the procedure for payment for the training and the amount of payment.
After completing the training course, the person submits an application to any of the State plant protection service's regional offices or State plant protection service's administration in Riga, Lielvārdes iela 36/38, in which he/she indicates the type of the desired certificate, a photograph (3x4 cm) and a certificate of completion of the training programme, indicating the name of the trainer, the name and personal code of the person, information about the training programme, the date of issue of the certificate and the name and signature of the person issuing the certificate.
The State plant protection servic will organise the test in cooperation with the trainer. The test takes place at the trainer's premises on the last day of training.
Procedure for the exam:
The exam is conducted in writing. The examination is marked by a panel approved by the Director of State Plant Protection Service. The certificate is issued by the State Plant Protection Service if the exam is passed. A person is deemed to have passed the test if he/she has answered at least 80 % of the questions correctly.
The costs of taking the test and obtaining the certificate shall be borne by the person in accordance with the State Plant Protection Service's Price List for paid services.
The certificate of a seller of plant protection products is valid for five years.
In order to be able to renew the seller's certificate, the person must complete a training course on new developments in plant protection legislation.
To renew the licence, the person shall submit an application, the licence, a statement from the trainer that the training course has been completed and a photograph to the State Plant Protection Service. The validity of the certificate is extended on the basis of the information provided in the application and the certificate. The certificate is not required if the State Plant Protection Service extends the validity of the licence at the training provider at which the training programme was completed.
If a person has not renewed their certificate within one year of its expiry in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations, they may obtain a new certificate only after they have attended a training course on new developments in plant protection legislation and successfully passed an examination on the basic training programme.
Certificates issued in accordance with Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No 463 of 29 April 2004 'Regulations on the distribution, storage and use of plant protection products' are valid until the expiry date indicated therein, after which the person shall renew his knowledge and obtain a vendor's certificate in accordance with the procedure laid down in the regulatory enactments.
Topics for basic and knowledge refreshing training for plant protection product vendors
(6 hours: 5 hours of training, 1 hour exam)
| Topic | Basic training (in hours) | Refreshing knowledge (in hours) |
| 1. Legislation on the distribution, storage and use of plant protection products. Record-keeping of plant protection products. Administrative liability in the distribution of plant protection products | 1.0 | |
| 2. Amendments to legislation | 1,0 | |
| 3. The Register of Plant Protection Products. Labelling of plant protection products | 0,5 | |
| 4. Updates and changes to the Register of plant protection products | 0,5 | |
| 5. Potential hazards and risks from the use of plant protection products | 1,5 |
|
| 5.1. risk to humans (operators, residents, passers-by, people entering treated areas, handling or consuming treated products) | ||
| 5.2. risk to the environment (beneficial insects, flora and fauna, biodiversity) | ||
| 6. Symptoms indicative of plant protection product poisoning. First aid | 0,5 | |
| 7. Illegal or counterfeit plant protection products. Risks. Identification of counterfeits | 0,5 | 0,5 |
| 8. Occupational health and safety requirements when working with plant protection products | 0,5 | 0,5 |
| 9. Emergency response (accidental spillage of plant protection products, accidents) | 0,5 | 0,5 |