Plants & Pests

Plant Industries Division

The Plant Industries Division’s work is often carried out behind the scenes, well out of the public eye. Yet, the division’s services are vital to Missouri’s agriculture producers and consumers. The division works to prevent the spread of harmful insects and plant diseases; registers pesticides; licenses pesticide applicators; assures label accuracy and quality of commercial feeds and seeds; and inspects fresh fruits and vegetables to assure quality and grade.

Bureau of Feed and Seed

The Missouri Department of Agriculture, Plant Industries Division, Bureau of Feed and Seed administers the Feed Program. Food safety is a primary concern of the Bureau of Feed and Seed. Inspections are a vital part of our food safety initiative for all animal feed. It is essential that animal feed is safe to ensure the safety of food for human consumption.

Pesticide Program

The overall goal of the Pesticide Program is to prevent unreasonable adverse effects of pesticide use on human health and the environment while helping assure the availability of pesticides needed to maintain our quality of life. This is accomplished by licensing pesticide applicators and dealers, registering pesticides and performing inspections and investigations in the enforcement of the Missouri Pesticide Use Act and the Missouri Pesticide Registration Act.

Plant Pest Control Program

The Missouri Department of Agriculture's Plant Industries Division works to prevent the spread of harmful insects and plant diseases through the Plant Pest Control Program. The program certifies apiaries (bees) and does export certification.

Forest Resources Program

One significant responsibility of the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Forest Resources Program is the regulation of the wood treating industry. This regulation deals with the quality of treated products produced and is conducted by the authority of the Missouri Treated Timber Law.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program assure fruits and vegetables meet quality and grade. The program inspects fresh fruits and vegetables at terminal markets and helps fresh fruit and vegetable wholesalers gain restitution for products that fail to meet standards agreed upon when purchased.