NRSPOLD004: High Value Specialty Crop Pest Management
Statement of Issues and Justification
Prerequisite Criteria: Mission
NRSP-4(IR-4 ) facilitates a broad range of research activities focused on providing critical pest management tools for growers of high value specialty crops throughout the US. The NRSP funding supports the administration and coordination of the program, but it does not support research activities directly. IR-4 research is funded by other USDA sources and the private sector.IR-4 mission is to provide pest management solutions for growers of high value specialty crops. IR-4 has considerable expertise in, and focuses its effort on chemical and biological pest management tools that require registration by EPA. This includes materials that promote or enhance the growth and development of plants.
Specialty crops include most vegetables, fruits, nuts, herbs, nursery and flower crops. Over 500 food and feed crops in the US are classified as minor. All ornamental crops are minor. The total value of these crops in the U.S. is approximately $40 billion which represents 40 percent of the total value of all crops (1997 Census of Agriculture) and it is generally recognized that this amount is increased approximately 4-fold by processing into higher value products. The economic importance of these crops varies widely among the states. In nearly half of the states, high value specialty crops represents 50% or greater of the total value of all crops grown. Their value exceeds 75% of the value of all crops in 13 states (AK, CA, CT, FL, HI, ME, MA, NV, NH, NJ, RI, VA, and VT). Further, these crops are the fruits, vegetables, herbs and nuts that nutritionists recommend as being essential for a balanced and healthy diet. At times, the IR-4 mission extends beyond high value specialty crops. It also includes minor uses of crop protection tools on major crops such as corn and soybeans in those cases where there are localized, infrequent or sporadic pest problems.
IR-4 was established and is still needed today because there are insufficient financial incentives for the agrochemical industry to invest in registering their products in specialty crops. Additionally, there are potential liability issues from crop injury in low acreage, high value crops that may create unfavorable risk-reward relationships for registrants. IR-4 develops the data to support the registrations. In doing so, IR-4 helps to improve the international competitiveness of US agriculture. As the agrochemical industry continues to undergo worldwide consolidation, the resources devoted to specialty crops and minor uses continue to diminish. This makes the role of IR-4 increasingly critical for maintaining the efficient and competitive production of these high value crops in the US.
The need for IR-4 was reinforced in 1996 by the passage of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). This required that nearly all the 10,000 pesticide tolerances in effect in 1996 be reassessed over a 10-year period and every 15 years thereafter. Significant losses of important uses of older compounds have and will continue to occur. EPA has given priority to the registration of replacements for organophosphate insecticides with Reduced Risk chemicals. These Reduced Risk chemicals have been the major focus of the IR-4 effort in the last 5 years. Since new and improved chemicals will continue to be marketed, continued regulatory action against older, widely used, chemicals is inevitable. In addition, the re-registration of all active ingredients is now set on a recurring 15 year cycle. Therefore, the need for a substantial IR-4 effort can confidently be predicted to continue for at least the next decade.
The primary stakeholders of the research activities of IR-4 are the domestic growers of specialty crops and food processors. The stakeholders have significant involvement with the operations of IR-4. IR-4 has established an IR-4 Commodity Liaison Committee (CLC) consisting of growers, representatives of commodity groups and food processors. This 15 member committee meets several times a year to provide IR-4 guidance on procedures and policy. The Chair of the CLC is a member of the IR-4 Project Management Committee. In addition, other grower and commodity representatives are encouraged to assist in the establishment of research priorities at annual priority setting workshops. The significance of this program to its stakeholders is encapsulated in three recent (2003) statements from growers groups: IR-4 has been instrumental in us receiving 15 new clearances for hops, and has supported numerous Emergency Clearances. Additional new products are in the registration pipeline, with several scheduled for approval by 2004. I can safely say that without IR-4, there would be no domestic hop industry. Ann George, Administrator of the Washington Hops Commission and the US Hop Industry Plant Protection Committee.
The U.S mint industry and the vast majority of Americas minor crops are totally dependent upon the IR-4 Program for providing the pest control products which are essential for minor crop production. Rocky Lundy, Executive Director of the Mint Research Council and Chair of IR-4 Commodity Liaison Committee. The IR-4 program and their work on behalf of the ornamentals industry has been invaluable. They are critical in our industry's efforts to find new and alternative pest-management tools to ensure that the nursery and landscape industry remains viable. Geoff Galster, former Director of Regulatory Affairs for the American Nursery & Landscape Association. Two comments from the recent (May, 2003) USDA external review of IR-4 also emphasize the significance of the role of IR-4 for its stakeholders: IR-4 focuses on technologies that would improve pest management solutions and not be developed without their assistance and leadership. The IR-4 program is a very good program and is integral to the future success of U.S. minor crops. Copies of the Report of the Peer Review Team and a draft of the IR-4 response document are attached as Appendices 2 and 3.
Prerequisite Criteria: How does this NRSP pertain as a national issue?
Rationale: Priority Established by ESCOP/ESS
Rationale: Relevance to stakeholders
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