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EPA, NAICC Move Ahead on WPS IssuesWhile discussions are on-going, NAICC and EPA have taken positive steps toward resolving the conflicts that have arisen regarding the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) and the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). On the table are revisions to the crop consultant exemption, a new exemption for research consultants, and a complete review of the entire WPS process.
Crop Consultant Exemption
Researcher Exemption
CARAT Formed to Transition Agriculture - NAICC RepresentedRobin Spitko, Ph.D., will represent NAICC for the next 2 years on the Com- mittee to Address Reassessment and Transition (CARAT), a subcommittee under the auspices of EPA's National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT). CARAT was formed as a successor to the Tolerance Reassessment and Advi-sory Committee (TRAC), created in 1998 to serve as a forum for stakeholder input to EPA and USDA as part of the implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act. CARAT is a smaller committee and representation was strongly sought after by the many groups affected by registration changes resulting from FQPA. It is a continuing testimony to the respect given to NAICC and the independent crop consultants' viewpoint that we were once again "given a seat at the table." Other groups represented on the CARAT include National Poison Control Centers, Ameri- can Crop Protection Association, the Weed Science Society, National Cotton Council, Center for Disease Control, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Council, Del Monte Foods, Children and Farmworker Advocates and others.The first CARAT meeting was held in Arlington, Virginia, June 22 and 23, 2000. The first day consisted of orientation for the committee members, including overview of current policies and funding at EPA and USDA regarding tolerance reassessment and FQPA implementation. The second day was the first official CARAT meeting. There was standing room only indicating the high level of interest being shown in the committee by Washington observers. It appears that the focus of CARAT will differ considerably from TRAC. TRAC was convened to provide feedback as the science policies for implementing FQPA were developed. CARAT will work intensely on agricultural transition. It was the opinion of many CARAT members that transition was proceeding too quickly with numerous registrations being canceled before science policies had been finalized and with no time for mechanisms for transition to even be developed. Spitko pointed out that all the burdens for transition so far have been placed on growers who are the least able to afford these additional costs. Spitko cited specific examples of how "softer" pesticides and alternative programs, when they exist, are costing from 20 to 50 dollars per acre more that more traditional pest control programs. An extreme example cited was that of Alar in apple production. After the cancellation of Alar, which cost $50.00/acre, growers spent 10 years waiting for a new product to help hold apples on the trees so that they can be harvested without a large percentage falling on the ground. A new product is finally available but it's price is over $300.00 per acre. It was clear from the ensuing discussion that no economic analysis of transition costs has been planned or developed. Spitko emphasized that U.S. agriculture cannot be expected to bear this burden without financial assistance. NAICC will continue to serve as the "reality check" for transition policies as USDA and EPA struggle to meet FQPA requirements.
Just Do It!By Dennis Berglund, NAICC President
Don't you just love this time of the year? Yes, I know it's often TOO BUSY…. Yes, I also know that working around the weather is NEVER EASY. But, when you're doing what you enjoy, you know what needs to get done and you JUST DO IT! When you're finally done with your schedule, you're really done! During other seasons of the year, when I get close to completing my "To Do" list, I just add more things to it. It never gets finished! Yet, during the
summer, I sometimes almost get that "caught-up" feeling!
Combining the Internet and
Our Expertise
More On Biological Control
Annette's Class Reunion
The NAICC Annual Meeting Paradoxby Dennis Berglund
One thing that I've learned about Annual Meetings over the years is this:
FEAE Awards First Jensen Memorial ScholarshipThe Foundation for Environmental Agriculture Education presented its first scholarship to Clint A. Dotterer of Fairbury, Ill. The $1,000 scholarship is in memory of Richard L. Jensen, Ph.D.Dotterer is entering his senior year at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign where he is pursuing a degree in Crop Science. He currently has a 4.0 grade point average. Also while attending the University, Dotterer is employed as a research assistant with the UIUC Soybean Pathology Lab. He also works for NAICC member Don Brucker, Jr., with Boehle Consulting Services, Melvin, IL, during the summers, as well as working on the family farm. According to Dotterer, "I see a need for people who are able to gather, interpret, integrate, and apply all the data and knowledge that will be available through the new technologies of agriculture. As a crop consultant, I could help farmers produce the best crops possible and yet be good stewards of the land." Eighteen applications were received for the initial scholarship. The deadline for submitting applications for the second annual scholarship is October 2000. Applications can be obtained from the NAICC website, NAICC Headquarters, or FEAE Board member Dean Wesley, Ph.D.
Real-Time IPM Data for Science-Based Approach to Safe, Sustainable Food and FiberA proposal for gathering real-time IPM data - a cooperative effort between NAICC and North Carolina State Univer- sity - was recently submitted in an effort to assure science-based methods are used to ensure a safe, sustainable food and fiber supply.With this project, which would require approximately $640,000 over a three-year period, the NAICC would collect and electronically report real-time field and crop observations. The observations would be made from major cropping states and regions of major and minor crops regarding pesticide use, needs, and IPM strategies. Project objectives include promotion of continued, safe food production, expansion of biologically based IPM strategies for improved worker safety, environmental benignity and a profitable farm society. To meet these objectives, the following goals have been set: 1) To collect and report real-time pesticide use data over the major food and fiber crops and selected regions, with an awareness of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) targeting pesticide issues and children's dietary needs. 2) To develop IPM measurement profiles for selected crops and objectives. 3) To develop an array of continuing education vehicles and modules to provide transition information for the critical pest management challenges. 4) To respond to specific survey requests from government and industry with desired information and analysis. The majority of the project's funding would be targeted at Certified Profes- sional Crop Consultants (CPCC) to gather data. This project would have a Stakeholder Advisory Panel consisting of members from USDA's Office of Pest Management Policy, EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs, regional IPM centers, the environmental community and the NAICC Coordinating Committee. The USDA review committee that will award funds will meet in October, and if funding is granted for this project, the process could start as early as January 2001. Those who participated in the initial meeting for this proposal with Ron Stinner, Director of the Center for IPM at NC State, included: Dennis Berglund, Al Averitt, Larry Sax, Phil Cochran, Charlie Mellinger, Roger Carter (who assisted but was not present at the meeting), and Allison Jones.
Help Gather Balanced Risk Assessment InfromationReal-world information is increasingly crucial as risk assessments for pesticides are evaluated by the EPA. We can have a voice in this process, and one way is for NAICC cotton consultants to fill out the Web-based survey designed to gather information on several aspects of cotton scout activity.This short survey, designed to gather information regarding potential exposure of workers to pesticide, covers several aspects of cotton scout activity. The survey came as a result of a need by USDA for real-world data on a specific cotton protection product. "It's a real testimony to the value and work of NAICC - the likes of which may be unsurpassed by anything in our 20 plus year history," said Harold Lambert. By now, all NAICC cotton consultants should have received an e-mail asking you to complete the survey on-line. If you have not already done so, please log on to www.naicc.org/surveys/survey1.html and complete the survey. If you cannot access this site, we will be happy to send you a copy by fax.
New Member ProfileNew to NAICC, Tim Miller is as entrepreneurial as they come. Seven years ago he started a contract agricultural research company known as Research West LLC in Moses Lake, Washington, the heart of the Columbia Basin. The company conducts both performance and GLP residue and environmental fate studies.Tim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in plant protection and a Masters degree in plant science from the University of Idaho. Before starting his company, he worked for the University of Minnesota as an assistant scientist, Cenex Land O'Lakes as a research agronomist, Qualls Agricultural Laboratories as assistant director of research/agronomist and Collins Agricultural Consultants, Inc. as a research manager/agronomist. Tim was influenced to join NAICC after hearing from associates about the "tremendous opportunity to network and discuss current techniques and issues involved with agriculture today." After attending his first conference, he is sold on the value of NAICC membership and is looking forward to participating on committees. Tim believes that "industry reconfiguration/consolidation is just a sign of our times and reflects the seriousness of our agricultural situation." He adds that change in any endeavor is inevitable and believes that we must all work together to improve agriculture's profitability and to assure that US citizens continue to have a cheap, abundant and safe food supply. "The reasons for agriculture's decline are associated with our efficiency and performance." This productivity has "freed over 98 percent of our population to concentrate on other activities" besides agriculture. "Agriculture has a long history of innovation and refinement of practices to increase our efficiency. We routinely implement many management tools to reduce our overhead costs or to raise our level of production to make a profit. Unlike any other business venture, we do not control the price of our products; thus the option to raise prices to recover ever-increasing production or regulatory costs is unavailable to us." Tim believes that our elected officials are able "to understand the role that agriculture has played in our country's rise to greatness" and are starting to become concerned about the plight of agriculture. He adds that they need to "stop hindering farmers and ranchers with continued regulation and trade interference." Tim added, "I do believe the agricultural economy will improve in the long term. Unfortunately, the small family farms may not be around to see it. Agricultural production must continue to ensure our continued existence on this planet. I have spent the last 10 years of my life talking to any group that would allow me to discuss issues important to our farmers. I have talked to legislators, both state and federal, physicians, grower groups and consumer/environmental groups. I will continue to do so. I hope our citizens will come to realize the importance of agriculture in their lives. I pray they do."
What's in a Committee?By Denise Wright
Webster's New Dictionary defines a committee as "a body of persons appoin-
ted to manage any matter." That seems to be cut and dried, doesn't it? Yet in most cases, committee work is carried out by two or three committee members.
Council for Biotechnology Information Program Succesfully LaunchedA multi-year, industry-led program to share information about agricultural biotechnology with people in the U.S. and Canada has been rolled out by the Council for Biotechnology Information. The Council is a coalition of seven leading companies with an interest in bio- technology, plus the industry trade association, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO).The program, launched in early April, includes a Web site, toll-free consumer hotline, information materials and television and print advertising. Although it is too early to gauge the program's impact, reaction to date has been very positive, according to Council members. The founding members of the Council are Aventis CropScience, BASF, Dow Chemical, DuPont, Monsanto, Novartis, Zeneca Ag Products and BIO. The Council also includes a number of associate members, such as trade and commodity organization, as well as scientific experts who serve as Distinguished Advisors. Plans for the program include making safety data for commercial products available through the Web site; sponsoring a separate, university-managed Web site which would serve as an ongoing repository for safety and environmental data from the companies and other sources; and development of white papers on a variety of food safety and environmental issues. The program is intended to help people in the U.S. and Canada find answers to questions they may have and to provide them with accurate information from a variety of industry, academic, scientific, government and third-party sources. "Food biotechnology has enormous potential for developing more nutritious foods and addressing health and hunger problems in our fast-growing worlds," said Dr. Louis Sullivan, president of Morehouse School of Medicine and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. "It is important to encourage responsible development of these technologies and inform the public of them." Dr. Sullivan serves as a Distinguished Advisor to the Council. The Web site, www.whybiotech.com, features facts and information about biotechnology, including data from a variety of sources, a discussion of benefits, links to other academic, government and scientific organization sites and third-party opinions and referrals. By calling the toll-free number, 800-980-8660, consumers can get a free copy of the Council's brochure, "Good Ideas Are Growing." The television and print advertising are designed to raise awareness about biotechnology and to direct people to sources for more information, starting with the Council's Web site and toll-free number. The ads feature real people who have benefited from biotechnology in medical and agricultural applications, from a child with leukemia and a woman with diabetes to a cotton grower in the South, an African farmer and his family and farm families in the Midwest. "The developing world could certainly use an increase in the food supply and the use of biotech crops in one way to make it happen," said Professor Jennifer A. Thompson, head of the Department of Microbiology at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. "Biotech crops can help cut down on the losses due to pests and disease, and these crops can introduce drought tolerance so that marginal lands can be planted." Like Dr. Sullivan, Professor Thompson serves as a Distinguished Advisor to the Council. The Council anticipates that the integrated information program will be a three- to five-year effort.
Members in the NewsPatriarchs of the organization, leaders in crop consulting. NAICC members Ray Young, Grady Coburn, the late Dick Jensen, Harold Lambert and Roger Carter were saluted in an extensive feature in April's Farm Progress. The article, "Leading the Way," reviewed the accomplishments and the NAICC leadership each of these men have provided for years.Harold Lambert was also featured in the May issue of Farm Progress in an article called "Test Drive." He and a client were highlighted for working together to solve the problem of rank growth in cotton by using an electrical charge mapping system to test varying soil textures. "Consultants Can Help," a column that recently ran in the Fayetteville Observer, featured NAICC member Al Averitt of Protech Advisory Services. The article emphasized how consultants can provide insight to farmers that can help make good crop management decisions that can improve crop performance and save money.
New MembersVOTING
Christopher Allen, B.S. (Soil Science) CCA
CAT of Wisconsin, Inc.
Craig Collins, B.S. (Pest Management)
Derrol Grymes
Lloyd Haderlie
Christi Hansard, B.A. (Plant Science)
Ronnie S. Helms, Ph.D. (Agronomy)
David S. Jenkins, B.B.A. (Business/
Biology)
Quan Zai Jia, Ph.D. (Soil Science)
Michael T. McCarty, Ph.D. (Weed Science)
Shane McKinley, B.S. (Biology)
Timothy L. Miller, M.S. (Crop Protection)
Alvin Nielson, B.S. (Agronomy)
Fred Rice, M.S. (Agronomy)
Elmer H. Stobbe, Ph.D. (Agronomy)
Paul Templet, M.S. (Biology) Provisional:
Vincella J. Erickson, B.A. (Chemistry) Associate:
Galynn Ferris, B.S. (Biological Systems Engr.)
Melvin Grove, Ph.D. (Plant Pathology)
Lucas G. Heim, B.S. (Biochemistry)
Keith Majure
Paul D. Metzger, B.S. (Ag. Industries)
Jeffrey Nathanson, M.S. (Natural Resources) Student:
Jonathan A. Folsom SUSTAINING:
Michael Pottinger, M.S. (Hydrogeology)
Happenings on the HillCongress, Organizations Call for Withdrawal of TMDL RuleA recent request was made for Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) rules to be withdrawn due to egregious mistakes discovered in data used to formulate provisions related to silviculture. In August of 1999, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed two changes to the regulations governing the implementation of the Clean Water Act which, if finalized, would fundamentally alter the agency's role in the management of nonpoint sources of pollution. The EPA proposal has met with widespread opposition to both the substance of these rules and the acceleration process employed to bring them to finality. The request was brought forth by a bipartisan group of House Members led by Agriculture Subcommittee on Department Operations, Nutrition and Forestry Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Ranking Member Eva Clayton (D-NC). It was based on a recently released report that surveyed all 1,040 waterbodies identified by the EPA as impaired by silviculture. The report indicated that, based on information provided by 18 states, silviculture possible affected only 84 of the waterbodies. Goodlatte commented that the implications of the report extend well beyond forestry, calling into question the credibility of all scientific data EPA is using to justify its proposed rules. Clayton said that many State officials believe that enforcement of the TMDL rules would result in states spending their time and resources on litigation, rather than on resolving real water quality problems in the field using proven, non-regulatory programs. Due to overwhelming public opposition to these proposed rules, and because the data used by EPA has been proven inadequate and unscientific, the Agency removed provisions relating to silviculture from its proposed TMDL rules. Since then, Members have asked the EPA to withdraw its rules entirely to allow for a full scientific review of the proposed regulations. Various pieces of legislation are in process regarding the TMDL issue. A House bill sponsored by Jay Dickey (R-AR) is worded to exempt agriculture from TMDL completely. H.R. 4502 (a bill sponsored by Congressmen Stenholm and Combest), similar to the existing Senate bill, will slow down the process while including agriculture and let the National Academy of Sciences take 18 months to further research the issue for the most sound implementation of TMDL. The Senate bill would also provide states with $500 million and an additional $250 million for state water programs. These monies are needed for states to research and gather data from nonpoint pollution sources and devise and implement strategies concerning Best Management Practices (BMPs) in agriculture and forestry. The American Crop Protection Association, the Farm Credit Bank of Texas and other organizations are coordinating a nationwide grassroots effort to gain co-sponsors to S. 2417 and H.R. 4502. The American Farm Bureau Federation is challenging the regulation in court on the grounds that Congress has given the states, not EPA, the authority to regulate nonpoint source pollution. According to Stan Ray with the Farm Credit Bank, "This rule would greatly restrict land use and establish onerous requirements on landowners without providing significant environmental benefits. " NAICC member, Mark Jensen, has followed this issue extensively for the NAICC legislative efforts believes that, "NAICC should favor a position where significant money is allocated for research and implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs), nutrient management, pesticide usage, and residue issues." He went on to add that the states should have the majority of authority on TMDL implementation since they are better able to coordinate efforts with their respective lead state agencies and universities.
New Crop Insurance Coverage Visit the House Agriculture Committee Web site, www.agriculture.house.gov, for more details on the crop insurance program.
Immediate OpeningSeeking qualified and motivated GLP field biologist with well-established research group in Coastal California and Arizona. Excellent salary, benefits and profit-sharing.Fax resume to Dr. Frank Sances, Pacific Ag Research, (805)594-1808
"Genetically Engineered Crops for Pest Management" Report Available.Survey results on the adoption of genetically engineered cotton, soybeans and corn by U.S. farmers is only one of many topics covered in USDA's new report, "Genetically Engineered Crops for Pest Management in U.S. Agriculture: Farm-Level Effects."The report presents results of an ongoing econometric study using 1997 USDA survey data on farm-level effects of adopting genetically engineered soybeans and cotton on pesticide use, yields and net returns. Key findings include:
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