Plant protection products – advisers

Description

An adviser is any person who has acquired relevant knowledge and gives advice on plant protection and the safe use of plant protection products as part of a professional activity or commercial service, including private self-employed people and public advisory services.

General information

Advisers require a training certificate in order to give advice on plant protection and the safe use of plant protection products. The certificate confirms the expertise of the person in question. All advisers must hold a training certificate (‘certificate of competence’ [Sachkundenachweis]). This does not apply to the measures provided for in the Forestry Act (Forstgesetz) 1975 for the protection of woody plants (plant protection in forests) or for the protection of plants against damage caused by game. A training certificate is obtained by applying to the Chamber of Agriculture (Landwirtschaftskammer). First-time applications for a training certificate must be accompanied by evidence of professional qualification and good repute.

Requirements

Only persons of good repute with the necessary technical knowledge and skills can apply for an initial certificate. In order to renew that certificate, they must complete at least 4 hours’ further training and must still be of good repute. Once a certificate has been invalidated (withdrawn) by the district administrative authority, a new certificate can only be issued once the person has passed a 16-hour training course.

I) Technical knowledge: this can be obtained through recognised education or vocational training or by completing a training course. The following are acceptable forms of proof of the required technical knowledge and skills:

A) a vocational training course certificate in agriculture, horticulture, field vegetable production, fruit cultivation and processing, viticulture and cellar management, forestry, forestry plantation and forest management, gardening and floristry (florist), cemetery and ornamental gardening, or landscape gardening (garden and green-space design);

B) a diploma from an agricultural or forestry college or higher agricultural or forestry educational institution or a certificate awarded upon completion of an agricultural or forestry course at a university or college, attesting to specialisation in agriculture, horticulture, or viticulture and cellar management;

C) confirmation of successful participation in a 16-hour training course organised by the Chamber of Agriculture;

D) confirmation of training in the use of plant protection products or equivalent training successful completed in another country in accordance with the law of that country;

E) proof of a commercial pest-control licence;

F) a sales advisor’s training certificate in accordance with Section 3 of the Plant Protection Products Ordinance (Pflanzenschutzmittelverordnung) 2011, Federal Law Gazette (BGBl.) II No 233;

G) confirmation of completion of recognised training in another state.

II) Good repute: no relevant criminal convictions or administrative offences in the past 2 years in connection with the use of plant protection products, chemicals or other toxic substances. Persons are considered to be of good repute unless, in the previous 2 years, they have been:

A) convicted by final court judgment of a crime or offence committed using plant protection products, chemicals or other toxic substances; or

B) convicted of a serious infringement of this Plant Protection Products Ordinance involving endangerment of human life or health or the environment, or repeatedly convicted of other infringements of this Ordinance or other legislation governing plant protection products or chemicals, taking particular account, in the event of repeat offending, of the seriousness of the infringements.

Deadlines

The training certificate (certificate of expertise) is valid for a limited period of 6 years. Renewal must be applied for before the certificate expires.

The district administrative authority may invalidate (withdraw) certificates. A new certificate cannot be issued for at least another 2 years.

Procedure

Applications for training certificates must be admitted if the requirements are met; otherwise, they must be rejected by way of an official decision.

Authentification and signature

The application does not have to be signed electronically – using a mobile phone signature (Handy-Signatur) or E-ID – or by hand.

Required documents

Application form, proof of the necessary technical knowledge and skills, and a written declaration of good repute.

Costs

EUR 48.60

Additional information

Since 26 November 2015, a training certificate has also been required to purchase plant protection products approved for professional use.

This procedure applies to the following professionals: users of plant protection products, technicians, employers, self-employed workers in agriculture and other sectors, and training supervisors.

Go to form

Application for a training certificate in accordance with Section 9 of the Tyrolean Plant Protection Products Act 2012, LGBl. No 56/2012, as amended. For more information or to download the form, visit https://tirol.lko.at/pflanzenschutz+2400++2263990+6193

Competent Authority

Other competent body:
Chamber of Agriculture

Legal remedies

Please ask the competent body for information.

Support and problem solving services

Department of Economic Affairs, Digitisation and Science

Heiliggeiststraße 7
6020 Innsbruck

Route planner

Telephone+43 512 508 2402

E-Maileap@tirol.gv.at

Contact form

Additional support and problem solving services

National Advice Centre for Vocational Qualifications (Nationales Beratungszentrum für Berufsqualifikationen)

Federal Minister of Labour and Economy (Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Wirtschaft)

Mag. Irene Linke

Stubenring 1, 1010 Wien

Phone: +43 1 71100-805446

E-Mail: irene.linke@oesterreich.gv.at

Legal basis

Tyrolean Plant Protection Products Act (Pflanzenschutzmittelgesetz) 2012, Provincial Law Gazette (LGBl.) No 56/2012, last amended by the Act in LGBl. No 80/2020.