SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5037

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 11, 1991

Brief Description:  Coordinating activities relating to registration of plant protection products for minor crop uses.

SPONSORS:Senators Anderson, Conner, Newhouse, Hansen, Bailey and Barr.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & WATER RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.

     Signed by Senators Barr, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Gaspard, Hansen, Conner, and Newhouse. 

Staff:  John Stuhlmiller (786‑7446)

Hearing Dates:January 25, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Washington has one of the most diverse agricultural economies in the country due to the varied climatic conditions which allow for the production of many specialty or minor crops in the state.  These minor crops, virtually all crops raised in Washington State with the exception of wheat, are heavily reliant upon the registration and production of plant protection products for minor uses.

With the high cost and complexity associated with obtaining a product registration through the federal pesticide registration process, and the increased pace of the reregistration process for existing plant protection products, manufacturers have had difficulty justifying the high costs of maintaining or developing plant protection products which have limited markets.  As a result, a number of plant protection products are being removed from the market.

This has raised concern among various commodity groups over the continued availability of plant protection products needed to control pests.  This concern has led to attempts at developing and gathering the necessary scientific information for the registration of plant protection products for minor uses.  This effort has shown that the state currently lacks the ability to provide technical assistance for the field research of the federal registration process.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Agriculture is directed to develop a program to provide assistance and information on the registration and reregistration process for plant protection products.  The department shall consult with the Minor Uses Advisory Committee to track the availability of effective pest control methods, provide information to grower organizations, and provide technical and financial assistance to minor use research efforts at Washington State University.

The Minor Uses Advisory Committee is created in the Department of Agriculture consisting of the Coordinator of the Interregional Project Number 4 (IR4) Program at Washington State University and six members appointed by the Director of Agriculture.  The committee shall advise the department on all minor uses issues, cooperate with the United States Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency in obtaining federal registrations of plant protection products for minor uses, and maintain close contact between the Department of Agriculture and agricultural producers regarding the need for research to support the registration of plant protection products for minor uses.

Appropriation:  $49,500 to the Department of Agriculture.

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

This is an important measure for agriculture and very much needed.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Mark Triplett, Washington Agri-Business Coalition; John Roozen, NW Bulb Growers Association, Washington Bulb Co.; Rick Williams, AIF Christianson Seed Co.; Marc Fisher, Northwest Christmas Tree Association; Bruce R. Ellingson, Washington Association of Apple Growers; Bill Roberts, Washington Farm Bureau