and seed by directing and conducting certification
programs in which turf and seed are produced to
meet certain standards such as purity, variety, ger-
mination, and other quality factors. Seed or sod
not meeting certification standards is rejected as a
result of field inspections or laboratory analysis.

The program is conducted in cooperation with
the Maryland Foundation Stocks Program
through the Maryland Crop Improvement Associ-
ation. The supervisor of this program serves as the
State's authority on certified turfgrass and seed
(Code Agriculture Article, sees. 9-101 through
9-110; 9-201 through 9-213; 9-301 through 9-307).

PESTICIDE REGULATION SECTION

This Section is responsible for regulating the use
of pesticides in the State. The program provides for
the licensing of businesses engaged in the commer-
cial application of pesticides, training and certifica-
tion of certain pesticide applicators, the enforcement
of the Pesticide Applicators Law and Regulations,
and for providing technical information relating to
the proper and effective use of pesticides.

The supervisor of this program provides overall
guidance and serves as the State's authority on
matters relating to pesticide use and application
(Code Agriculture Article, sees. 5-201 through
5-211).

OFFICE OF ANIMAL HEALTH
Dr. Hugh E. Binks, State Veterinarian
College Park 20742 Telephone: 454-3831

The Office of Animal Health is responsible for
the control and eradication of those diseases of
livestock and poultry that are of significant eco-
nomic importance to the producer as well as
those contagious diseases of livestock and poultry
that pose a significant threat to the human popu-
lation of Maryland due to their transmissibility
from animals to humans (Code Agriculture Arti-
cle, sees. 3-101 through 3-503).

OFFICE OF MEAT AND POULTRY
INSPECTION SECTION

Dr. Robert J. Lee, D.V.M., Chief
College Park 20742 Telephone: 454-5333

The Office of Meat and Poultry Inspection has
the responsibility of assuring the Maryland
consumer of a wholesome supply of meat and
poultry products, properly labeled and prepared

under sanitary conditions. This is accomplished
with a staff of fifty-eight inspectors, supervisors,
and administrative personnel. Inspection person-
nel are assigned to ninety-four slaughtering and/
or processing plants located throughout the State.
Fifty percent of the cost of the State meat and
poultry inspection is provided by the Federal
government (Code Agriculture Article, sees.
4-101 through 4-131; 4-201 through 4-230).

OFFICE OF PEST MANAGEMENT
Dr. Robert M. Altman, Chief
College Park 20742 Telephone: 454-3844

The Office of Pest Management conducts three
major programs throughout the State. Other
plant pest problems are monitored closely and
plans are developed for managing other pest
problems as the need develops.

MOSQUITO CONTROL SECTION

A State-wide cooperatively funded program is
conducted out of the College Park Office that
provides routine services to 1,400,000 residents in
1,600 communities in 20 counties. Branch offices
are located in Salisbury and Clements. Environ-
mentally compatible temporary (adulticiding and
larvaciding) and permanent (water management)
methods are used to control the mosquitoes. In
addition to implementing control measures,
efforts are also directed toward determining the
environmental impact of the program, developing
more efficacious control methods, and conducting
epidemiological investigations of mosquito borne
diseases,

GYPSY MOTH CONTROL SECTION

The gypsy moth is the most destructive for-
est pest of the Eastern United States. In addi-
tion, it causes serious problems in wooded resi-
dential areas, parks, and recreation areas, and
is the subject of a national and international
quarantine program. This pest has been present
in Maryland since 1971, but as a result of ef-
fective control measures there has been no
damage to date in the State. A cooperative lo-
cal, State, and federal program to manage the
gypsy moth is coordinated out of the College
Park Office.

MEXICAN BEAN BEETLE PARASITE
PROGRAM

Soybeans are the second most important crop
in Maryland. The Mexican bean beetle is the