The NSW Environment Minister introduced the Pesticides Amendment Bill in the lower house on Wednesday 22 October.  The EPA website has just been updated with information on the proposed changes : http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/pesticides/Pesticides.htm

The transfer is being underpinned by a Parliamentary Bill - The 'Pesticides Amendment Bill 2014’ - currently before NSW parliament. As the Bill applies in several ways to all licensed urban pest managers (including, in the long term, training) please find below some links to ‘official’ documents regarding the Bill and the changes which it will introduce. These changes will start applying from early 2015.   In particular, be sure to read #3, the Q&A document. It answers many logistical questions.

In the short term, the transfer of Pest licencing from WorkCover to EPA will not affect members.  In the longer term however, the EPA has indicated it will revise licencing fees and the department is committed to a policy of full cost recovery.  They have agreed however that this change and any other changes to be made in the future will be preceded by a full discussion with AEPMA.

1.  https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20141022006 - Summary of intentions of the 'Pesticides Amendment Bill 2014'

2.  https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/NSWBills.nsf/0/0fd4760f9ffb6847ca257d7800171fa9/$FILE/XN%20Pesticides.pdf - Explanatory Note accompanying the Bill

3.  http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/pesticides/qapesticides.htm - Q&A regarding 'Pesticides Amendment Bill 2014'

4.  http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20141112064?Open&refNavID=HA2_1 - 'Pesticides Amendment Bill 2014' - Second reading speeches - Part 1

5.  http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20141112067?Open&refNavID=HA2_1  - 'Pesticides Amendment Bill 2014' - Second reading speeches - Part 2 and progress to third reading. The Bill now has passed to the Legislative Council for consideration.

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