Volume 9, Number 3
April 16, 1999
Volume 9, Number 3
April 16, 1999
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Last April, the principles of sound science, transparency, transition and open participation were announced by Vice President Gore as standards for the implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA).
That development sped the evolution of USDA's role in the EPA pesticide regulatory process. What emerged are three critical stages for participation by USDA and its land-grant university partners: first, in the development of crop profiles; second, in the review of EPA risk assessments; and third, in the design of transition strategies to mitigate risks and alleviate reliance on high-risk pesticides.
Where are we now?
Crop Profiles Reap Rewards
Last May, the development of "crop profiles" was proposed at a national meeting of Pesticide
Impact Assessment Program (PIAP) faculty from land-grant universities. In concept, a crop
profile tells the comprehensive story of how a commodity is produced. "Story development"
has involved extensive collaboration among land-grant faculty and growers. The result:
- Seventy-one completed crop profiles posted on the Web, with up to 200 completed by
September. (See related article in this issue.)
- A visible, accessible public tool for EPA, USDA, growers and other state level users.
The profiles are available as a resource for EPA in preparation of risk assessments, reregistration eligibility documents and Section 18 exemptions. Other good uses of the profiles have been reported by our PIAP regional coordinators. In California, a grower group used the walnut profile in applying successfully for a $100,000 state grant. Faculty there also used the profiles in updating their state pest management guidelines. Other faculty say they have a stronger appreciation, after developing crop profiles, of the pest problems in small acreage crops. The coordinators also said the profiles will help in targeting their research and education programs.
Risk Assessments Reviewed
Under a pilot program, USDA is now a part of the EPA refinement process for risk assessments
of organophosphates. As preliminary risk assessments are revised, they're submitted by EPA
to this office. As we received the assessments nine of 40 organophosphates so far OPMP
recruited land-grant faculty to help review them. The resulting comments and questions are
contributing to the quality and accuracy of the assessments by assuring the incorporation of
available data and actual use practices.
This review process was outlined at an April 8-9 work group meeting of the Tolerance Reassessment Advisory Group (TRAC). Based on comments received, we'll pay additional attention to assure that urban and public health considerations are weighed, and discuss with EPA how USDA might participate in development as well as review of risk assessments.
Groundwork Laid for Transition Strategies
It's obvious that we need to do more than react chemical-by-chemical, waiting until
cumulative risks are calculated. We need to determine the best way, commodity-by-commodity,
to respond to OP risk assessments and to move when necessary toward other chemistries and
practices. Both USDA and EPA are seeking to set direction and provide the resources for
making transitions. Plans or "transition strategies" are needed to establish a framework
for change that will not be disruptive to production.
USDA staff and land-grant faculty are beginning to work with commodity groups to design transition strategies for some of the crops frequently consumed by children. The strategies should show clearly the steps to move from current practices to safer practices. Successful strategies will guide EPA too which registrations should be accelerated; which Section 18s are needed. Transition strategies also will tell the Department which research and education programs need funding.
Since crops, pests and weather patterns are different from region to region within the U.S., no one single, national approach to pest management will work for all agricultural regions. On the other hand, it doesn't make economic sense for each state with similar production regions to organize and support the same kinds of pest management efforts.
A reasonable approach is a strategy that pulls together areas with similar cropping patterns, pest problems and environmental conditions. The USDA Office of Pest Management Policy is considering the concept of regional pest management centers based on crop production zones similar to those used to define EPA's field trial regions.
As we look at the pest management needs of those regions, we're exploring how to best integrate our endeavors with land-grant universities, EPA region offices, states, growers, public interest groups and other concerned parties. Establishing centers at existing facilities is a key part of what we envision. Very soon we'll ask for input about a preliminary proposal. Basically, we're seeking the means to carry out USDA's research and education plan to help growers meet the challenges posed by FQPA.
At the April 8-9 meeting of the TRAC work group, EPA reported on the dietary risk assessment for Guthion (azinphos-methyl). The revised assessment has not been completed. However, with the incorporation of residue information from the USDA Pesticide Data Program and other refinements, EPA's calculations now show that the acute dietary risk is below the reference dose for the general population and at the reference dose level for infants. An update will be presented at the April 27-28 TRAC meeting.
The National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy (NCFAP) is updating its national pesticide use database, currently based on 1992 data, to reflect usage patterns in1995 and 1997. The database covers 200 active ingredients on 80 crops in 48 states, including NASS data, PIAP data and OPMP crop profile data. Extension Service specialists also have been surveyed about usage patterns, with140 of 200 survey recipients responding to date.
Once the preliminary database has been assembled, NCFAP would like the state's PIAP liaison to review it. The targeted release date for the database is September 1999.
NCFAP also has formed a 20-member work group to report on the needs and availability of pesticide use information to support regulatory and policy analysis. The report will serve as a resource for USDA as it prepares an FQPA-required report to Congress about the adequacy of current usage information for FQPA implementation and the available options for further collection of pesticide use information.
Members of the committee represent agriculture, industry, public interest groups and universities, as well as USDA, EPA, USGS and state government. For more information, contact: Leonard Gianessi at ncfap@ncfap.org or fax 202-328-5133
June 1 Deadline: Pest Management Alternatives Program (PMAP)
URL: http://www.reeusda.gov/ipm/pmaprfp99.htm
This request for proposals invites applications that address anticipated changes in the pest management of food, feed, livestock and ornamental commodities resulting from the Food Quality Protection Act. Approximate FY99 support: $1,500,000.
Program goals are to: 1) develop and demonstrate alternatives and possible mitigation strategies to ensure that producers have reliable methods for managing pests; and 2) develop crop profiles that summarize production practices, pesticide use/usage data, and available pest management alternatives for pesticides that are high priority for tolerance reassessment. PMAP's focus is on short-term replacement strategies for high-risk pesticides.
June 4 Deadline: Food Safety Research
URL: www.reeusda.gov/pas/programs/foodsafety/fsrfp99.htm
This request for proposals invites applications that address national emerging issues in food safety. The focus is on qualitative and quantitative risk assessments of ready-to-eat foods; the scientific basis for critical control points, critical limits and process capability in assuring food safety; and ensuring the safety of imported and domestic fruits and vegetables. Approximate FY99 support: $4,677,998.
Proposals must describe how the research results will be transferred for use. Preference will be given to proposals that have partnerships with potential users of the information.
Additional Information
Proposals for either program may be submitted by state agricultural experiment stations, all
universities and colleges, other research institutions and organizations, federal agencies,
individuals and private organizations or corporations.
For a hard copy of either RFP, contact:
Proposal Services Unit
USDA/CSREES, Mail Stop 2245
1400 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20250-2245
202-401-5048 or psb@reeusda.gov
For PMAP information, contact:
J. S. Yaninek, syaninek@reeusda.gov
202-401-6702, fax 202-401-6869
For food safety information, contact:
Anne Bertinuson, abertinuson@reeusda.gov
202-401-6825
EPA is soliciting comments on two draft science policy papers that will serve as nonbinding guidance documents for implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act. They are:
A detailed summary and list of suggested questions/issues for comment pertaining to each
paper are included in the Federal Register (FR) notice, which can be found on EPA's website
at:
More Crop Profiles Completed Raspberries and tobacco in West Virginia, citrus, potato and tomato in Florida, blueberries,
cotton, peanuts, structural use, sweet potatoes and tobacco in North Carolina, pumpkins and
tomatoes in Pennsylvania, tobacco and tomatoes in Tennessee, sugar beets in Idaho, apples in
Rhode Island, field corn in Vermont, tomatoes in Maryland, corn and soybeans in Iowa,
cucumbers in Micronesia, lima beans in Delaware, iceberg lettuce and prunes in California,
watermelons in Oklahoma.
World Economic Plants: A Standard Reference April 27-28: Full TRAC Meeting The Reregistration Notification Network is a cooperative effort of
OPMP-PIAP, Interregional Project No. 4 (IR-4), Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), and the American Crop Protection
Association (ACPA).
Profiles summarize crop production and pest management practices and problems at the state
level. Now available on the web at
The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) recently published this 784-page book covering
10,000 of the world's economically important plants. Authored by ARS taxonomists John
Wiersema and Blanca Leon, it is useful in both botany and crop science. It expands and
updates a 1986 USDA publication that has long been popular with scientists, teachers and
others. Priced at $125, it is available from CRC Press. Order via
The Tolerance Reassessment Advisory Committee (TRAC) "Full Committee" will meet for
status reports on recent policy developments, organophosphate risk assessments and
refinements, the overall status of tolerance reassessments, and transition strategies.
Location: National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Conference Center (703-907-5934)
in Arlington, VA across from the Ballston Metro stop. An agenda and background information
will be posted on the EPA website one week prior to the meeting at:
Last Modified April 16, 1999