KDA launches high-tech systems to increase efficiency.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
For more information contact:Bill Clary
(502) 564-4696



FRANKFORT, Ky. — Two new Internet-based systems are enabling the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to carry out its pesticide regulation and environmental enforcement duties more efficiently, improving customer service and staff productivity.

The Pesticide Product Registration System enables companies that sell pesticide products in Kentucky to register new pesticide products, renew existing pesticide products and pay fees online. The Kentucky Compliance Activity Tracking System (KYCATS) enhances the ability of the KDA’s Division of Environmental Services to track its enforcement activities.

“Our Environmental Services and Information Technology staff have worked very hard to make these systems easy to use and able to provide accurate information in a timely manner,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “The systems eliminate a large amount of paperwork for our staff. The Pesticide Product Registration System also reduces paperwork for pesticide companies, offers additional payment options and is available 24/7 for companies to access at their convenience.”

The Pesticide Product Registration System provides a simple process for companies to review their company demographic information and send necessary corrections to the Department. During the registration process, companies can make secure electronic payments by using a credit card and/or ACH debit. A pesticide company must be registered with the Department to use the system.

The system is available at https://secure.kentucky.gov/agr/pesticides/web/Login.aspx.

Pesticide registrations generate $1.6 million to the Department annually.

The system was created through a partnership with Kentucky.gov, the state’s official Web site. Kentucky.gov is a collaborative effort of the state and Kentucky Interactive LLC of Frankfort, a subsidiary of Kansas-based NIC, which manages more e-government services than any other provider in the world.

KYCATS breaks enforcement data down by category, enforcement action and other criteria. It helps the Division of Environmental Services compile and file quarterly reports to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Division is the leading investigating agency in Kentucky for EPA on pesticide-related issues.

KYCATS is a joint effort of KDA’s Environmental Services and Information Technology divisions and Clemson University.

“I commend our Environmental Services and Information Technology staff for their work on these projects,” Commissioner Farmer said. “Years of funding cuts have made it harder for us to perform our duties to the citizens of the Commonwealth. These innovations will help us squeeze more efficiency out of fewer dollars.”