N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 33-0301

§ 33-0301. Declaration of policy and purposes.\n The purpose of this article is to regulate the registration,\ncommercial use, purchase and custom application of pesticides.\nPesticides, properly used for the control of insects, fungi, weeds, and\nnematodes, and as defoliants, desiccants, and plant regulators and for\nrelated purposes, are valuable, important and necessary to the welfare,\nhealth, economic well-being and productive and industrial capabilities\nof the people of this state. However, such materials, if improperly\nused, may injure health, property and wildlife. It is hereby declared to\nbe a matter of legislative determination that the regulation of the\nregistration, commercial use, purchase and custom application of\npesticides is needed in the public interest and that in the exercise of\nthe police power all persons be required to register or obtain permits\nbefore engaging in such activities.\n