SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6526

BYSenators Anderson, Hansen, Gaspard, Barr, Bauer, Benitz, Bailey, Warnke, Sutherland and Newhouse

Relating to registration of plant protection products for minor crop uses.

Senate Committee on Agriculture

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 11, 1990; January 16, 1990; January 18, 1990

Majority Report:     That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6526 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Senate Staff:John Stuhlmiller (786-7446)

                January 19, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, JANUARY 18, 1990

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 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 some to attempt to develop and gather the necessary scientific information to allow the registration of plant protection products for minor uses.  This effort has shown that the state currently lacks the ability to provide technical assistance to parties interested in conducting field research as part 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.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

An appropriation of $49,500 is made to the Department of Agriculture for this program.

Appropriation:  $49,500

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    available

Senate Committee - Testified:   Ann George, Hop Growers of Washington (pro); Mark Triplett, Washington AgriBusiness Coalition (pro); Bill Roberts, WSFB/IPAA (pro)